Update on SBI Investigation into OIS at Person County Courthouse in Roxboro

9/10/2021
 


   MEDIA RELEASE
CONTACT:  Angie Grube
Public Information Director, SBI
agrube@ncsbi.gov
September 10, 2021
Update on SBI Investigation into OIS at Person County Courthouse in Roxboro
Raleigh, NC – At the request of the Person County Sheriff’s Office, the Roxboro Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has been requested to investigate an officer involved shooting that happened inside a courtroom at the Person County Courthouse in Roxboro.  The shooting happened just before noon on Thursday, September 9, 2021, when local authorities say a defendant who was on trial attempted to take a bailiff’s weapon.  An officer from the Roxboro Police Department then fired his weapon striking the defendant.  The defendant was transported to Duke University Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.  He has been identified as Christopher Thomas Vaughan, W/M/DOB: 12/25/85. 
Both officers received injuries and were treated and released from local medical facilities.  The Roxboro officer has a broken hand. The bailiff has a gash/laceration to his head and scratches on his neck.  The release of the officer’s name will be at the discretion of the District Attorney’s Office and will not be released at this time per the police department’s policy.
The SBI investigation remains ongoing.  No additional information is available at this time.