Warrant: Man shot during drug raid pointed gun at officers

WILLOW SPRING, N.C. — A man shot by a Wake County deputy last Saturday pointed a gun at agents who were searching a Willow Spring residence for drugs, according search warrants released Friday.

A warrant signed by Detective B. Manley, with the Wake County Sheriff's Office, says that two confidential sources had separately reported that drugs, including marijuana and methamphetamine, were being manufactured in a backyard shed at 1913 Buck Rowland Road.

Late Saturday afternoon, the Wake County Sheriff's Office Special Response Team and State Bureau of Investigation conducted a "no-knock search" at the residence, according to a warrant signed by SBI agent N.H. Thompson.

Witnesses told the SBI that when agents entered the residence, James Robert Crumpler was sitting on a sofa, pointing a gun at agents. Deputy Scott Earp fired and struck Crumpler in the upper torso, the SBI warrant says.

Crumpler was treated at WakeMed, then charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, maintaining a dwelling place or motor vehicle for a contraband substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is free on a $5,000 bond.

The SBI is investigating the shooting, following standard procedure for all officer-involved shootings.

The warrant from the Wake County Sheriff's Office says that deputies seized marijuana seeds, drug paraphernalia, an assault rifle, 12-gauge shotgun, automatic pistol, two rifles, assorted ammunition and magazines, and pistol permits.

During its investigation, the SBI seized a handgun, a projectile and shell casing from the scene.

The Wake County warrant says that Crumpler has faced "numerous" charges, including with assault by pointing a gun and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. State Department of Correction records show that he was convicted of possession of stolen goods in 2001 and two counts of damaging or destroying a vending machine in 2003.

Earp, who has worked for the sheriff's office for 11 years, has been placed on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation.