State Working to Bring Suspect Back to North Carolina Following Arrests in Shooting Death of Shelby Police Officer | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory announced today that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is working to bring a suspect back to North Carolina following an arrest in the shooting death of Shelby Police Officer Timothy J. Brackeen.

    "I am confident that North Carolina law enforcement will continue to work with all partners and communities involved to make sure justice is done on behalf of the Brackeen family and Shelby Police Department," said Governor McCrory.

    Early this morning, the Rhode Island State Police and the FBI apprehended Irving Lucien Fenner Jr. (23 years old), who was wanted in the shooting death of Officer Brackeen. Fenner was arrested in Providence, Rhode Island as part of a wide ranging investigation by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

    Prior to Fenner's arrest, the Shelby Police Department and the SBI arrested Deitra Morris, Casey Fenner and Jolisa Peeler for Accessory to Murder, After the Fact. Ashley Hamrick of Shelby was also arrested for Harboring a Fugitive.

    The investigation was initiated on Saturday, September 10, 2016, after the Shelby Police Department responded to the area of 210 Gidney Street, in Shelby, North Carolina, in an attempt to locate Lucien Fenner Jr. for the service of outstanding warrants. Officer Brackeen encountered Fenner in the area and an altercation ensued. During the altercation, shots were fired by Fenner and Officer Bracken. Officer Brackeen was fatally wounded. Officer Brackeen was transported to Carolinas Healthcare System Cleveland Hospital and then flown to Carolinas Healthcare System Main in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he later died of his injuries.

    Fenner subsequently fled the area. The Shelby Police Department, the State Bureau of Investigation, law enforcement agencies in other states, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, US Marshals Service, and the Secret Service have been working around the clock on the investigation and have been in consultation with the District Attorney's Office throughout.

    On Monday, Governor McCrory announced that the state was offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting of Officer Brackeen.

    This investigation is ongoing. The SBI will continue to work on this investigation and will provide the criminal investigative report to the District Attorney when complete.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov