Two suspects have been charged with assault after a shooting victim showed up at an Echo Valley home seeking help on Thursday, June 4.
Matthew Dakota Shuler, 27, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and jailed on a $200,000 bond. Amy Byrd was arrested June 5 and charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. She is being held under $100,000 bond.
Deputies with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office responded to the home to find the victim, who has not been identified, on the porch with gunshot wounds to the neck and shoulder.
The victim was airlifted to Mission Hospital in Asheville where he underwent emergency surgery, according to the sheriff’s office. He had been released by Monday, June 8, according to the hospital.
Before being airlifted, the victim was able to speak with detectives briefly but was unable to provide much information. Later that day detectives identified Shuler as a suspect and began searching for him. Shuler was arrested on South Skeenah Road after deputies stopped a car in which he was a passenger.
The suspect was in possession of a loaded firearm and two spent shell casings, according to the sheriff’s office.
Another man who was identified by the sheriff’s office as a second possible victim has since contacted his parents and is believed to be safe, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Based on our investigation, we know this was drug-related and a retaliation,” sheriff Robert Holland said.