IFN Staff

A Burke County man who was wanted on felony charges by the Statesville Police Department died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Joel Scott Wimbish Jr., 44, was pronounced deceased after he was located inside a Hildebran home following a standoff with Burke County Sheriff’s Office and members of the U.S. Marshals Service Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force on February 5.

According to an SPD news release, Wimbish was wanted on charges related to a shooting that occurred at the Microtel Inn & Suites, located off Landson Drive, earlier this month.

Officers were dispatched to the hotel about 2 a.m. on February 3 after receiving a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male inside the hotel lobby suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the face and abdomen, according to the news release.

Officers provided medical aid until Iredell County EMS personnel arrived and transported the victim to Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

During the investigation, detectives identified Wimbish as the suspect and determined the shooting resulted from an altercation in a nearby parking lot, police said.

Based on the evidence collected, detectives obtained warrants charging Wimbush with attempted first- degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm by a felon. The department requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force to locate the suspect.

On February 5, Task Force members and Burke County Sheriff’s Office personnel, located Wimbush at a residence in Hildebran. When officers attempted to take him into custody, he barricaded himself inside the residence and refused commands, police said.

After a standoff lasting several hours, officers entered the residence and located Wimbish suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.