The man who opened fire on police officers responding to a call on Wednesday night now faces seven counts of attempted first degree murder in connection with the shootout.
Police have identified the man as 36-year-old Kelly Lee Pitts, of Hickory, N.C.
During the shootout, Pitts shot and injured two people – Deputy Jenna Markland of the Carter County Sheriff’s Department and a female civilian. Markland was struck twice in the head – a grazing blow to her forehead and a second shot that struck her in the face just above her mouth. The civilian, who has not been identified, was struck in the hand. Both women were taken to a local hospital for treatment. According to reports, Markland was in critical condition was was alert and talking.