Deputies released from hospital following deadly shootout in Lincoln County

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — Two deputies shot in the line of duty while trying to serve warrants on a man in connection to a domestic call Monday in Lincoln County have been released from the hospital, according to the sheriff.

Sheriff Bill Beam told Channel 9 reporter Ken Lemon that deputies received a call about a domestic situation on Gaston-Webbs Chapel Road, near the Lincoln-Gaston county line. After clearing the call, authorities learned that the man involved in the domestic disturbance had four outstanding warrants.

Deputies returned to the home, at the end of a gravel driveway, to serve those warrants but the man, identified as 31-year-old Corey Lee Cutler, barricaded himself in a building on the property, officials said. A SWAT team was called but before they arrived, Cutler started firing a shotgun, hitting the two deputies, the sheriff said.

[READ MORE: NC deputy shot during disturbance call, suspect killed]

Other deputies returned fire and Cutler was killed.

“I was at the one end of our house actually, in the bathroom, and I heard ‘boom, boom, boom, boom,’ which I thought nothing of at the time because you hear that out here all the time because you are allowed to shoot in your backyard,” said neighbor Greg Seibert.

Deputy W. Spurling was taken to Atrium Health in Charlotte where he was treated for shotgun pellets to the face, authorities said. Deputy B. Alexander was hit in the arm with shotgun pellets and was taken to Atrium Health in Lincolnton.

Both deputies were released from the hospital late Monday.

“This shooting of my officers and Mr. Cutler is a tragedy for my officers, the community, Mr. Cutler and his family,” Beam said. “We appreciate the community prayers for our officers and the Cutler family.”

Several officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave during the investigation, which is standard procedure.

The SBI is investigating the shooting.

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