Questions linger after man found wounded with home on fire

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Burke County Deputy Greg Huntley found a homeowner bleeding in a neighbor's driveway and his house on fire next door Saturday.

"Get him to safety and everybody in the surrounding area, and then we'll deal with the other circumstances," Huntley said.

The man was identified as Bobby Dee Woodard, 58.

Neighbors living south of Morganton described hearing several shots coming from the home just before seeing the flames that destroyed it and set the hillside on fire.

An Eyewitness News reporter could see the smoke miles away, from Interstate 40.

"I just heard a bunch of screaming and shots going off," said neighbor Jennifer Loftus.

Investigators said they have gotten several conflicting stories about what led to the man's injuries and the fire afterwards.

"We've heard he could have been making some kind of explosive device. We've heard that he could have been shot, cut, that there were several people at the scene. We have heard three or four different versions," said Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisenant.

Leaving many, including the man's family, wondering what really happened.

"We don't know what it is. We have as many questions as you do," said son-in-law Jason Moore.

Deputies said they initially searched for a possible gunman, but don't believe there is one in the area.

Deputies said Woodard has a serious leg injury and has been taken to Carolinas Medical Center.

WSOC