Robbery suspect shot, killed by US Marshal in Catawba County, deputies say

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies responded to the scene of a deadly shooting Thursday involving a U.S. Marshal in Catawba County, according to the sheriff’s office.

The shooting happened around noon at a home on Saddleview Court, just south of the town of Maiden.

U.S. Marshals said they were looking for Buddy Edward Weeks, 35, on charges stemming from Catawba, Cleveland and Burke counties. Investigators told Channel 9 that Weeks was wanted for robbery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of larceny of a motor vehicle, felony breaking or entering, larceny of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and felonious possession of stolen goods.

Marshals said they knew Weeks was at the Saddleview Court address earlier and said he would not be taken in without harming law enforcement.

Deputies said Weeks, armed with a rifle, was shot by a U.S. Marshal.

Witnesses said the officers fired at least eight shots at Weeks, who was at an entrance to a home.

After clearing the home, deputies said they were told Weeks may be hiding in a crawl space under the house and was armed with a handgun. Officials said they found Weeks in the crawl space and that he was holding a knife and handgun threatening officers. They used tear gas to flush him out, authorities said.

Weeks was shot moments later, after going into the home and retrieving a rifle and returning where he threatened officers a second time, according to authorities.

“This person came out of the crawl space armed with a handgun and a knife,” said Aaron Turk, Catawba County sheriff’s officer. “This person threatened officers.”

“This is tragic,” witness Melanie Paugh said. “I had no idea he had been doing the stuff he had been doing. I had no idea he was at the house. This is crazy.”

She fought back tears as she described the moments leading up to the shooting.

“I don’t know why they were there,” Paugh said. “They just told us someone there was an arrest warrant, but they wouldn’t tell us who they were looking for.”

“I woke up to them just busting down my door with guns in our face,” witness Adam Cooper said. “I got up and they were in the door. They said, ‘U.S. Marshals. Everyone down.’”

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident. The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an Internal Affairs investigation.

“Our sentiments are with the family of Buddy Weeks,” Catawba County Sheriff Donald G. Brown said. “Our team did everything possible to encourage Buddy to surrender. Buddy’s choices forced the Deputy Marshal to defend himself and all of the law enforcement officers present.”

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