LIBERTY NC (RCSO) [ARCHIVED] – On Thursday, January 7, 2021 at approximately 8:30 pm the Liberty Police Department responded to 532 W Swannanoa Ave in reference to a possible shooting. Officers located a victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. The victim was airlifted to UNC Hospital, treated and eventually released.
After asking for help in locating a suspect, Stewart Whitaker, who resides at 532 W Swannanoa Ave, has surrendered himself to law enforcement officers and has been charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill, Inflicting Serious Injury and Attempted Murder. Mr. Whitaker’s court date for these charges is 1/13/2021 in Randolph County and his bond has been set at $250,000.
At the time of the incident in Liberty, Mr. Whitaker was already under a $25,000 bond in Chatham County for the charges of Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm in City Limits, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Mr. Whitaker’s court date in these matters is set for 2/10/2021.
Chief Semrad says the Liberty Police Department wishes to thank the many citizens who provided information to assist with this investigation and its peaceful conclusion, the Ramseur Police Department and the US Marshals Service.