3 North Carolina tree workers shot and suspect injured during arrest by deputies, officials say

GREEN MOUNTAIN, N.C. (AP) — A man seriously wounded three North Carolina workers who were clearing trees for a power company before he was injured during his arrest Wednesday, authorities said.

Lucas Murphy, 36, suffered an injury that was not life-threatening during his arrest by Yancey County deputies, sheriff’s officials said in a Facebook post.

Authorities said Murphy confronted three contract workers who were clearing trees in a right-of-way for a power company and shot them. The workers were taken to area hospitals for treatment. The sheriff’s office did not immediately say what led Murphy to confront the workers.

Deputies responding to the shooting encountered gunfire as they attempted to arrest Murphy and they fired shots, the sheriff’s officials said. The type of injury Murphy suffered was not immediately clear. He also was taken to a hospital.

Authorities did not say what charges Murphy faced Wednesday. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer. A jail representative reached by phone late Wednesday said to call back during regular business hours for information about Murphy’s booking and lawyer.

The sheriff’s office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation were looking into the shooting.