PRESS RELEASE: 01/02/2026
On December 25, 2025, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an assault involving a knife in the parking lot of Taco Bell located in Icard. Deputies responded to Catawba Valley Medical Center, where they spoke with the victim; a witness, Storme Abee, and the suspect, Bruce Alan Reed. Deputies observed the victims’ injuries, which included deep lacerations. Due to the severity of the injuries, the victim was airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem for further treatment.
Based on the information obtained during the investigation, Reed was taken into custody and appeared before the Burke County Magistrate, where he was charged with Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury.
After his first court appearance on December 29, 2025, he was issued a $50,000 secured bond with his next court appearance set for January 22, 2026.
