The victim in a shooting Tuesday in Murphy, N.C., has died from a gunshot to the head stemming from a confrontation between two men at a home on Sunrise Street.
The victim has been identified as 22-year-old Murphy resident Kenneth Ryan Jones, according to Murphy Police Chief Justin Jacobs. Jacobs said Jones died earlier today.
Bryan Crisp, 44, of Hayesville, N.C., faces North Carolina charges of murder, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill, possession of a firearm by a felon, discharging a firearm in city limits. Other charges against Crisp are pending.
Jacobs said charges also are pending against other people present at the home when the shooting occurred.
Jones' body has been sent to Sylva, N.C., for an autopsy, the chief said.
The investigation started just after noon Tuesday with the shooting call at 29 Sunrise Street in the north end of town, Jacobs said.
Crisp fled from the Sunrise Street home and Murphy police and Cherokee County Sheriff's deputies began a search at the scene of the shooting as emergency medical officials prepared to fly Jones to Erlanger hospital in Chattanooga where he later died.
The Learning Center Charter School and the Murphy Elementary School - both less than half a mile from the shooting scene - were placed briefly on lockdown during the search.
Polk County, Tenn., Sheriff's deputies and the Tennessee Highway Patrol, meanwhile, engaged Crisp in a pursuit as he fled west across the state line reaching speeds of more than 100 mph.
Jacobs said that when he was taken into custody in Tennessee Crisp was found with the firearm used in the shooting, a large amount of methamphetamine and he had multiple pending warrants for his arrest, as well.
Authorities in Tennessee charged Crisp with possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacturing, delivering, selling or possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence, possession of a weapon, violation of the implied consent law, evading arrest, reckless endangerment involving minor injury, speeding - 100 mph in a 55 mph zone - failure to maintain lane and as a fugitive from justice related to the allegations in North Carolina, Polk County Jail records show.
Jacobs said Crisp is being held without bond in Polk County. North Carolina officials will seek a governor's warrant to extradite Crisp back to Cherokee County to face charges.
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.