Courthouse Incident | Eastern North Carolina Now

    On August 15th, 2016 at approximately 11:00am, an intoxicated subject entered the Beaufort County Courthouse in an attempt to enter a courtroom. The subject, later identified as Tyler James Hardison, w/m, dob 07/17/95, of Cherry Run Rd. in Washington, began using profane language and threatened the private security personnel with bodily harm. Hardison then assaulted one of the security guards by shoving him in the chest. The head of the security personnel called the Washington Police Department for law enforcement assistance.

    A deputy sheriff, a school resource officer that has been assigned to assist the bailiffs while school is not is session and was assigned to the civil courtroom near the main entrance overheard a disturbance and responded to investigate. The deputy immediately attempted to gain control of Hardison, whom had already assaulted the private security employee. Other deputies, bailiffs that had just finished with their duties in district court on the second floor, responded and assisted in getting control of Hardison after an altercation that ended up on the floor of the courthouse. One of the deputies had to use a Taser to assist with getting Hardison under control. Each deputy involved received minor injuries during the altercation. One of the deputies had to receive medical attention at a local medical facility, he was treated and released after receiving care.

    Once Hardison was restrained and the situation was under control, the deputies escorted Hardison to the magistrate's office. While at the magistrate's office, Washington EMS was called to examine Hardison. Hardison refused medical treatment.

    The head of the private security, Bobby Rollins, that was assaulted during the incident testified before the Magistrate and also obtained a criminal process against Hardison for Assault. Deputies then obtained charges against Hardison for Intoxicated and Disruptive, three counts of Resisting a Public Officer, and Felony Assault Inflicting Injury on a Government Official.

    Hardison was placed in the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $20,000 bond for the aforementioned charges and he also was held in contempt of court by the magistrate and ordered to be held in the jail for seven days because he was still using profane and threatening language and failing to comply with the magistrate. While at the magistrate's office, an unrelated, outstanding criminal summons from Pitt County was discovered and served on the head of the private security, Mr. Bobby Rollins.

    Sheriff Coleman stated, "I am glad I had deputies that were able to hear the commotion and be able to respond to take care of the situation. This young, strong, and violent subject accosted and assaulted private civilian security personnel that are not equipped to handle these types of situations. I am just glad no one was seriously injured."

• Sheriff Ernie Coleman
•     Beaufort County Sheriff's Office