Cumberland County Sheriff’s Deputies who were responding to an early morning domestic violence call, were diverted to a shots fired call. The shooter was the husband of the woman who made the 911 call regarding the initial domestic violence situation who ultimately killed two people and wounded two deputies, one of them seriously, and whose shots struck but did not injure others and whose firing at a Highway Patrol vehicle resulted in a shrapnel wound to the patrolman, and ended in the death of the suspect. Shortly before 7:00 o’clock this morning, 41-year old Valerie Michaelis dialed 911 for help after she and her husband, 41-year old Andrew Michaelis, became involved in an argument inside the home they shared at on Bramblegate Road, Fayetteville. At that time, Andrew Michaelis held Valerie at gun point until she was able to get the gun from him, and he pursued her with a knife. Valerie Michaelis managed to escape the home, and fled to the home of her father, Gary Simpson, located on New Moon Drive, Fayetteville, where her son, Ryan Michaleis was, in an attempt to seek safety from her husband, Ryan’s father, Andrew Michaelis. While she and six others were inside the home, Andrew Michaelis drove by the home and fired his high powered assault rifle into the Simpson residence, discharging the 30 round magazine into the dwelling. Two people who were inside the residence were killed as a result of the initial drive-by shooting. The victims have been identified as 61-year old Gary Simpson, the home owner and Valerie’s father, as well as Simpson’s ten-year old grandson, Trekwan Covington. Gary Simpson apparently attempted to return fire in self defense with his .45 cal. handgun, but which was no match for the rifle and the type of ammunition which Andrew Michaelis was using. Michaelis drove away and, then, returned firing another magazine of shots into the dwelling, but Michaelis did not shoot a taxi driver who was in the area and who also called for help. Deputies arrived immediately afterward, and Andrew Michaelis returned a third time, stopped his vehicle, and fired more rounds from inside his truck. Deputies who were inside the home, responding to the call for help, were struck by the gunfire. One deputy suffered gunshot wound to his chest, back and shoulder. He was transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery. He is in the Intensive Care Unit and listed in stable condition following the surgery. Another deputy managed to escape injury from the gunfire when one of the bullets struck her duty belt which miraculously prevented the bullet from entering her body. She suffered minor bruising and is unharmed. Other deputies pursued Andrew Michaelis through a wooded area in an adjoining neighborhood and through a residential street. Michaelis continued firing his semi-automatic weapon at deputies who returned fire. One deputy’s head was grazed by a round from Michaelis’ rifle. Another deputy escaped injury when a bullet penetrated his uniform, but did not strike his body. A North Carolina Highway Patrolman suffered a shrapnel wound when one of the bullets tore through his vehicle when he attempted to assist his fellow officers. The highway patrol vehicle and Sheriff’s vehicles were heavily damaged from Michaelis’ weapon. The shooter, Andrew Michaelis, who still had 60 rounds or more of ammunition in his vehicle even after firing nearly 100 shots at the home and at the officers, died at the scene. After SBI and Cumberland County investigators completed their inquiries, the body was removed late this afternoon ot be taken to the Medical Examiners Office. We will provide you with more information as the investigation progresses and as we get more information on the progress of our seriously wounded deputy who is still in ICU, still on ventilation, and still unconscious, but in stable condition in the hospital. Please keep him, his family, and fellow deputies in your thoughts and prayers. Please LIKE this post and please ask everyone who cares about law enforcement to like this post so that I can show our deputy the care that our community has for him and his family. And, please say a prayer for his recovery. Also, please give thanks for the deputies who placed themselves in harms way to prevent more deaths. If you appreciate them, please LIKE and share this post. I am grateful tonight for the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the Fayetteville Police Department and all those who offered aid and support in these circumstances. I am grateful for all those who protect and serve.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 00:20:40 +0000
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