COVID-19 UPDATE

Burke County Public Health Monday reported 15 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday for a total of 10-thousand-215.

The latest figures indicate 259 cases are active, while 7 people are in the hospital.

In McDowell County, health officials reported 9 additional cases of the virus for a total of 5-thousand-129 positives.

37 residents remain in quarantine.

Car Stolen

A woman in McDowell County makes off with a stolen vehicle and leads law enforcement on a chase.

On April 21^st, 25-year-old Jacquelyn Taylor Williams showed up at a resident’s house on Old Morganton Road.

Whenever the resident told her to leave, Williams grabbed the keys to his 2002 GMC Denali and fled.

A short time later, officers spotted her driving on Interstate-40, attempted to pull her over; however, she failed to stop until she was apprehended in Buncombe County.

Williams was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle and failure to heed a blue light and siren, according to the McDowell County Sheriff's Office.

Rutherford Complaint

The family of a man fatally shot by Rutherford County deputies last December has filed a complaint against the department.

According to reports, officers were attempting to serve a felony warrant on 28-year-old Ethan Tyler Calton at a home off Highway 221 south of Rutherfordton.

The family alleges the officers were driving an unmarked vehicle and were wearing civilian clothes.

A witness who reportedly was close-by at the time of the incident said lawmen approached Calton from behind without stating their presence or identifying themselves as police officers.

The witness, reports say, went on to say that the officers immediately began to detain Calton.

He was reportedly startled and tried to break free and within seconds a deputy drew his weapon and shot Calton.

The family’s complaint also contends that officers didn’t provide first aid but instead contacted the sheriff.

Calton died at the scene.

The officers have been placed on administrative leave.

The SBI is investigating.