Man Wanted In Statesville Found Dead After Burke County Standoff

Reports indicate U.S. Marshals were searching for a wanted man in Burke County on Thursday, they found him and after a standoff, they found him deceased.

Officials say they were trying to arrest 44-year-old Joel Scott Wimbush, Jr at a home on 10th Street in Hildebran. Wimbush had several active felony warrants from the Statesville Police Department. The charges included attempted first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and gun offenses.

Investigators confirmed Wimbush was inside the home and armed but he refused to surrender. Negotiators tried for several hours but the suspect did not exit the residence . SWAT teams from Burke and Catawba counties were called in. A drone unit was also used. Officials say an armored vehicle breached the front door and a drone was sent inside the house.

Using the drone, officers found Wimbush deceased inside the residence. The North Carolina State Bureau of investigation has been called in to investigate the death.

Rob Eastwood-WHKY contributed to this story