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5 Rowan County deputies on leave after deadly shooting

According to the Rowan County Sheriff's Office, Jordan Mays was on the "10 Most Wanted List" by local state probation before being shot by deputies.

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — According to Rowan County Sheriff's Office, five deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave after a fatal shooting Tuesday night. 

Authorities were on Thriftwood Court in Salisbury for hours Tuesday night. When on the scene, WCNC Charlotte's Colin Mayfield asked neighbors what they witness but they declined to comment and RCSO did not release a statement detailing what happened until Thursday. 

According to authorities, deputies received a tip Tuesday afternoon that two wanted individuals, Jordan Mays and Jeremy Brock, were at a trailer located at 138 Thriftwood Court. Five members of the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Apprehension Team, later identified as Master Deputy Jessica Abrams, Master Deputy David Scott, Master Deputy Travis James, Master Deputy Chase Safrit and Master Deputy Adam Dyles, responded to the area. 

According to the report, Mays and Brock had active warrants, and Mays was on the “10 Most Wanted List” by local state probation. 

Mays' warrants included carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, driving with a revoked license and probation violation. 

When authorities got to the scene, they reportedly used multiple tactics to try to draw suspects out of the home before closing in on the residence. As deputies searched the area, Brock was found hiding inside a detached garage where he was arrested without incident. 

The report says deputies received additional information that led them to believe Mays was in the rear bedroom of the single-wide trailer. 

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Deputies then went in the trailer and announced themselves as they attempted to get Mays out of the room. Reportedly, right when they entered the bedroom, they come in contact with Mays who was on the bed with a woman. 

Beside the bed on a desk was "a visible handgun within reach of the offender," which officials said was less than three feet away from Mays. 

The report states the body camera video shows Deputy Dyles trying to arrest Mays. Dyles and Mays can reportedly be seen struggling to the floor as Deputy Safrit assists in Mays' apprehension.

The report says Deputy James was inside the bedroom, providing cover for the two other deputies while they tried to subdue Mays. One of the deputies can be heard yelling for one of the others to “tase him.” the report continues on to say.

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Mays then reportedly got off the floor with Deputy Dyles still on his back. 

The report states Mays grabbed the firearm on the desk next to the bed. Deputy Dyles and Safrit shout "gun" several times.

As Mays turned around with the gun in his hand, Deputy James reportedly fired what is believed to be five rounds, striking Mays in the head with at least one of those rounds. 

After the shots were fired, Deputy Scott responded with first aid in an attempt to treat Mays' injuries, however, due to the extent of the injury, no aid was possible. Mays was pronounced dead at the scene. 

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No deputies were injured during the incident. 

Deputies recovered three 9mm handguns, over $3,000 in cash and what's described in the report to be a "large amount of what is believed to be crystal meth". 

All five deputies have been placed on administrative paid leave while the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations handles the investigation.

RCSO released this statement about the report:

"After personally reviewing the body camera footage, it is obvious that our Deputies encountered a deadly threat and used force that was necessary and reasonable to stop that threat. Even though a handgun was in reach of the offender, our deputies first tried a hands-on approach to apprehending Jordan Mays. They also were in the process of attempting to use a Taser on Jordan Mays. The aggressive and deadly actions of Jordan Mays resulted in our Deputies having to administer deadly and lethal force to protect themselves. Our Deputies acted bravely in the face of a deadly threat encounter."

They continued on to say "It is never our desire to be involved in a lethal, deadly force encounter. However, we are often forced into this outcome by those that would mean harm to others. We take steps and train to avoid these confrontations. I as Sheriff, offer my sincere condolences to the Family of Jordan Mays. I also ask that the privacy of our Deputies and their families be respected at this time."

Contact Colin Mayfield at cmayfield@wcnc.com or follow him on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

Note: WCNC instituted a new policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.  

WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.

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