Deputies fatally shoot armed suspect during domestic violence call

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. (rbs news now) — The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man killed in an officer-involved shooting earlier this month as 31-year-old Shavon Curtis Smith, according to an October 15 news release.

The shooting occurred on October 7 when deputies attempted to serve arrest warrants on Smith at his residence on Dennis Drive in Reidsville.

According to investigators, Smith fired a weapon several times at deputies, who then returned fire, striking him multiple times.

Deputies said they immediately rendered medical aid, but Smith succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office said the decision to release Smith’s name came after “exhausting all attempts to contact family members listed in databases both in North Carolina and across the country,” with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

The SBI continues to investigate the incident.

Anyone with information about the case or about Smith is asked to contact the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office at 336-634-3232 or the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

UPDATE — October 8

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. (rbs news now) — A 31-year-old man was shot and killed Tuesday morning after reportedly opening fire on Rockingham County deputies.

The shooting occurred shortly before 11 a.m. on October 7 on Dennis Drive.

Sheriff Sam Page said no deputies were injured, though they were checked at a local hospital as a precaution.

The suspect, whose name has not yet been released pending notification of family, was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, the situation began earlier that morning around 8:44 a.m., when a woman came to the county magistrate’s office seeking a warrant related to a domestic violence incident that had occurred at the same address.

She also filed a report with the sheriff’s office, saying a gun had been fired during the altercation and that the man threatened to harm her and any law enforcement officers who came to the home.

Deputies obtained warrants for misdemeanor domestic violence, assault by pointing a gun, and communicating threats.

Because of the threats, additional personnel were called to assist in serving the warrants.

As deputies approached the residence, officials said the suspect began firing from inside a bedroom window.

Deputies returned fire and took cover.

The suspect then exited through a side door and continued shooting leading deputies to return fire again, striking him multiple times.

Deputies rendered aid to the suspect, but he was later pronounced deceased on scene.

“Domestic violence cases can be very volatile and can quickly escalate from a verbal argument to a situation that turns deadly,” Sheriff Page said. “I’m truly thankful that the victim in this case, and our responding deputies, were not harmed during this tragic incident.”

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent investigation, as is standard in deputy-involved shootings.

ORIGINAL STORY — October 7

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. (rbs news now) — A person was killed Tuesday morning during a deputy-involved shooting in Rockingham County.

The shooting occurred around 11:30 a.m. in the 100 block of Dennis Drive, near Highway 87 and the Caswell County line.

According to the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, a woman contacted authorities to report a domestic violence incident.

She told deputies that the man had threatened to shoot her if she returned home — and that he would also shoot any deputies who came to the residence.

Deputies went to the home to serve warrants for multiple counts, including domestic violence and communicating threats, and to escort the victim.

When they arrived, officials said the suspect fired through a bedroom window toward the deputies.

The man then exited the home and continued firing.

Deputies returned fire, killing the suspect.

None of the deputies were physically injured, though they were evaluated at a local hospital as a precaution.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has been called in to conduct the investigation.

One response to “Deputies fatally shoot armed suspect during domestic violence call”

Sheriff criticizes county board for ‘lack of support’ during tense meeting – rbs news now

October 23, 2025 at 11:30 pm

[…] Page began his remarks by referencing a recent domestic violence incident in which his deputies exchanged gunfire with an armed suspect on October 7. […]

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