SBI investigates officer-involved shooting

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is looking into an officer-involved shooting that took place on Jan. 23 at 118 Howards Farm Lane in Beulaville.

According to the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy responded to a call from the Duplin County Communications Center at approximately 4:15 a.m. last Thursday regarding a man armed with a knife who was threatening to kill a female. The man was identified as Joseph R.  Duncan, 35.

Law enforcement reported that Duncan was armed with a knife and a pair of scissors. The Sheriff’s Office shared that Duncan did not obey the deputy’s commands to stop and continued to approach the deputy. As a result, the deputy shot Duncan.

Authorities explained that the wound was not fatal, and Duncan was taken to the Duplin County Jail where he is being held without a bond. No other individuals were injured at the scene.

Duncan has been charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon against a government official, resisting a public officer, communicating threats, larceny and two charges of injury to personal property. The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 7 and March 24.