On Wednesday morning Morganton Public Safety responding to reports of a shooting in the area of Causby Road. Initial reports said that one man had been stabbed and a female had been shot.
Upon arrival officers heard gunfire in the area but initially could not identify it’s location. Authorities issued an alert through the Smart911 app, advising residents in the Causby Rd and Fernwood Drive area to stay in their homes. Glen Alpine and WA Young elementary schools were also placed on a soft lockdown.
With information provided by a family member officers determined the suspect was barricaded in the bedroom of his residence, but would not respond to communications. A Burke County Sheriff’s office drone was used to enter the home and make contact with the suspect who was identified as 58 year old Martin Otis Barrier. Barrier, who was suffering from a stab wound, voluntarily surrendered to authorities.
The female victim was located at a nearby residence with unconfirmed injuries.
Both Barrier and an unidentified female were taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.