Northampton Deputies Kill Man in Shootout

JACKSON, N.C. — A Jackson man was killed Tuesday by Northampton County deputies during a shootout that followed a domestic incident, authorities said.

Northampton County Sheriff Whitey Vincent said three deputies responded to a domestic dispute at 6591 N.C. Highway 305 between 3:30 and 4 p.m. Tuesday. A man had assaulted his girlfriend and made threats to set fire to the home, Vincent said.

When officers arrived, they tried to get the man to come to the door to speak with them, but he refused. Two deputies went around the house, while the third remained in his patrol car.

The man broke out a window and began shooting at the deputies, Vincent said. He then walked out the front door onto the porch, and one of the deputies fired back at him, Vincent said.

Robert Mickinley Edwards, 55, died Tuesday night at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville from the single gunshot wound, Vincent said.

Deputies Virginia Powell, Cory Jackson and Jessie Stevens have been placed on administrative leave with pay, and the State Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the case.