Gunman arrested after shootout at NC church, reports say

Josh Nichols, supervisor of Haywood County Dispatch, said no one was injured or inside the church when shots were fired.

A suspect is in custody after deputies say shots were fired at Maple Grove Baptist Church in Haywood County.

He said he spoke by phone with people living near the church, and they said multiple shots were fired.

“Gunshots were exchanged between that individual as well as law enforcement officers and then EMS was called in to attend to him”, Sgt.

A man and officers traded discharge in a stand-off after the solitary shooter opened let go outside a Waynesville church. No law enforcement officers were injured.

Deputies responded to Maple Grove Baptist Church in Waynesville on Wednesday afternoon shortly after 3 p.m.

The community is shocked by this incident. “Stuff like this can happen anywhere, but it’s random. It is our desire to be a truly New Testament church”.

Stamey Cove Road was closed for several hours because of Wednesday’s events.

Shannon O’Toole, a spokesman with the SBI, said around 7 p.m. the SBI would not comment on the status of the victim. The scene remained active as an investigation moves forward.