Suspect dies after altercation with bondsmen, military vet

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. — A man died during an altercation Saturday night at a Rockingham convenience store, police confirmed.

Two bondsmen -- a man and a woman out of Moore County -- went to the Richmond County Jail to bond a man out but when they tried to get him to sign paperwork, he fled.

The bondsmen tracked the suspect to the Quik Check at about 9 p.m. on Highway 1 South at the Highway 74 bypass.

They approached the man at the gas pumps to place him in custody, but a struggle ensued and the suspect managed to grab one of the bondmen’s guns, police said.

A military veteran was at the store with his family, saw the commotion and asked the bondsmen if they needed help before jumping in, sources told Channel 9.

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One of them put the suspect in some sort of hold, and he died at the scene. His name has not been released.

The veteran was traveling from Myrtle Beach to West Virginia to attend a memorial service and the police chief said the good Samaritan, who is not from the area, was very distraught after the altercation.

Rockingham police are investigating the death and will give the district attorney information on the incident Tuesday to determine if any charges will be filed.

One bondsman had to be treated at the hospital.

Cox Media Group