Former Ashe Co. deputy turns himself in on second-degree murder charge

ASHE COUNTY, N.C. — A former Ashe County deputy turned himself in Thursday on a second-degree murder charge stemming from a deadly officer-involved shooting last summer.

Authorities say Joshua Hopkins shot and killed Dallas Shatley when deputies responded to a disturbance call near Shatley's home in July, 2015.

The sheriff says Shatley got into his car and tried to drive off while a deputy was hanging on.

That's when they say Hopkins opened fire.

He also starred in a reality TV show called "Southern Justice" about law enforcement officers in the North Carolina High Country.

The sheriff said they have been called to Shatley's home on more than 90 occasions.

He supports his deputy and didn't know about the indictments until grand jury met after a lengthy investigation by the SBI.

A grand jury indicted Hopkins on Wednesday.

There is body cam video of the shooting but that video has not been released.

The sheriff said Hopkins is on administrative leave from a sheriff's office in Tennessee where he now works.  As part of his release, he is not allowed to leave Ashe County after posting a $250,000 bond.

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