Trooper Kevin Glenn released from hospital, back home after incident
Trooper Kevin Glenn (Via NCDHS)
Kevin Glenn, a North Carolina state trooper assigned to Mitchell County, was shot in Yancey County during a chase just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14.
The chase started in Mitchell. Glenn was attempting to put out a tire deflation device on U.S. Highway 19E near Newdale Church Road when he was shot.
Glenn was airlifted to an area hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect, 40-year-old Bobby Lee Byrd, Jr., died shortly after the incident, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said. The suspect shot at officers multiple times and Yancey County deputies returned fire, hitting Byrd in the process.
The suspect crashed his car and was later pronounced dead at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.
Highway 19E remained blocked in both directions for some time following the incident. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is handling the case and said the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
A NCSHP spokesperson said Glenn was alert and in stable condition as of Dec. 15. He was released on Thursday, Dec. 16 and received an escort from the hospital.
The chase was started by the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office before NCSHP was contacted for assistance. Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved.
“This serves as a continued reminder of the dangers our troopers face and the sacrifices they make for the communities they serve,” said Colonel Freddy L. Johnson Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. “Now is the time to pray for Trooper Glenn, his family and our patrol family during this difficult time.”
Gov. Roy Cooper took to Twitter on Wednesday, Dec. 15 to show support for Glenn.
“I talked to him last night,” Cooper Tweeted. “I’m impressed with his courage and toughness. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to protect us.”