The Burke County Sheriff’s Office announce Friday that on Thursday February 5th U.S. Marshals were attempting to locate Joel Scott Wimbish, who was wanted on multiple active felony warrants issued by the Statesville Police Department. The charges included attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Investigators received information that Wimbish was staying at a residence located at 110 Tenth Street SE in Hildebran. Officers confirmed Wimbish was inside the residence, armed, and refused to surrender despite several hours of negotiations.
Special units from the Burke County Sheriff’s Office and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office including drone unit, and negotiation teams, were on the scene. An armored vehicle from Catawba County was used to breach the front door, allowing drone access into the residence.
Using drone technology, officers located Wimbish deceased inside the residence. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has been contacted to conduct an investigation into the death.
