News

Clear Creek man charged with firing on law officers

Jeromy Rand Swaringen

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 30, 2022

A 39-year-old man who was treated for gunshot wounds and released from Mission Hospital is jailed on a $220,000 bond on charges of firing at law officers Monday night.

The Henderson County 911 Center received a report at 9:07 of what was described as a female screaming for help followed by the discharge of a firearm at 2821 Howard Gap in the Clear Creek community.

Henderson County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to conduct a health and welfare check at the residence.While approaching the home, deputies could hear what sounded to be a domestic dispute inside. As deputies reached at the residence they encountered Jeromy Rand Swaringen, who was armed with a firearm. Swaringen refused to comply with deputies' verbal commands and immediately began firing at the deputies.
The deputies returned gunfire and were able to take Swaringen into custody. Deputies immediately performed lifesaving first aid measures on Swaringen, who was then transported by Henderson County EMS to Mission Hospital.

Upon being treated and released from the hospital, Swaringen was transported to the Henderson County Detention Center, where he was jailed on three counts of felony assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm and one count of misdemeanor child abuse. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.

As with all officer-involved shootings, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was called to investigate the incident and the deputies who responded to the call were placed on paid administrative leave.

“We are very fortunate that our deputes were not harmed during this incident and all involved were able to return home safe to their families," said Sheriff Lowell Griffin.