Catawba Cpimtu -- September 26, 2026: A 15-year-old boy was shot by a Catawba County sheriff’s deputy late Thursday in Sherrills Ford, prompting an immediate investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). The juvenile was transported to a Charlotte hospital and was reported in critical condition Friday morning.
The incident occurred around 9:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at a residence on Reed Creek Drive in the Sherrills Ford. Catawba County deputies were attempting to locate the juvenile at the request of the Troutman Police Department, which was seeking a teenager allegedly in possession of a stolen handgun.
According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, “When deputies arrived, they encountered the juvenile armed with a firearm. The juvenile was shot by a deputy during that encounter.” Authorities have not released specific details regarding whether the juvenile pointed or fired the weapon, the number of shots fired, or the precise circumstances that led to the shooting. No deputies were reported injured during the incident.
The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office promptly requested assistance from the SBI, which has taken over the investigation into the deputy-involved shooting. SBI agents were reported to have worked at the scene overnight collecting evidence to establish the events immediately before and during the shooting. The deputy involved has been placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation proceeds.
As of Sept. 26, the SBI had not released additional details. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the deputy’s identity, the firearm’s make or model, whether the juvenile fired the weapon, or the juvenile’s current medical condition. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains unknown whether criminal charges will be filed.