Official: Man hid in closet, fired at agents during drug raid

Sanford, N.C. — A suspect hiding in a closet fired a semiautomatic rifle at least once before authorities shot and killed him during a drug raid at a mobile home outside Sanford earlier this week, authorities said Friday.

Adrian Castaneda was killed during the search early Thursday at 48 K Bar Lane by Harnett County sheriff's deputies and State Bureau of Investigation agents.

Authorities found drugs worth $2.86 million and arrested Orlando Mendez Castaneda, 26, on charges of trafficking cocaine, Maj. Gary McNeill, with the Harnett County Sheriff's Office, said Friday.

Armed with a handgun, Orlando Castaneda confronted agents in a hallway when they entered the mobile home, McNeill said. He was quickly disarmed and arrested.

Harnett County Detective Tommy Parker and SBI Agent Michael Hall searched a bedroom and found Adrian Castaneda hiding in the closet, McNeill said. Adrian Castaneda fired an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, and Parker and Hall discharged their weapons, killing the suspect.

The SBI is investigating the shooting, and Hall and Parker have been placed on administrative duty, following standard procedure for all officer-involved shootings. The results of the investigation will be turned over to Harnett County District Attorney Susan Doyle.

Orlando Castaneda is being held in the Harnett County Detention Center on a $3.5 million bond.