COVID-19 UPDATE

24 new cases of COVID-19 in Burke County over the weekend for a total of 9-thousand-966 positives as reported by local public health officials.

220 cases are reported to be active, while 9 Burke residents are in the hospital.

McDowell County yesterday reported 12 new cases of the virus; bringing the county’s total to 5-thousand-25.

Currently, 61 residents in McDowell are in quarantine.

Caldwell Shooting

A toddler is dead, while his mother and father sustain injuries in a triple shooting in Caldwell County.

Authorities say the two year old died from injuries after his father shot him, and the child’s mother before turning the gun on himself.

The incident happened Friday night at a home in the Cajuh’s Mountain community.

Investigators suspect the boy’s father first shot his girlfriend, and the boy came into the room.

The child was then shot, and his father then shot himself.

The two-year-old was airlifted to an area hospital but was pronounced deceased.

His mother was treated and released from a Charlotte hospital.

The father was taken to an Asheville hospital where he is reported as stable.

Officials say upon his release, he will be charged with murder and attempted murder.

McDowell Assault

A domestic dispute leads to charges for a Marion man.

McDowell County deputies were called to Patches Drive on April 6^th to a reported breaking and entering.

The officer discovered 36-year-old Timothy Ray Noblitt having a dispute with the resident.

Noblitt reportedly assaulted a female and then tried to break inside the house when she locked herself inside.

He is now charged with attempted breaking and entering, and assault on a female.