Authorities looking for suspect in domestic shooting

On May 11, the Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office received a call on US Hwy 2, Hamptonville, in reference to a drive by shooting. Following an investigation authorities determined the shooting was an isolated domestic incident that occurred at a residence off of Longtown Road and there was no immediate threat to the area.

Deputies obtained warrants for assault with deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and possession of firearm by felon on Ben Thomas Hodge, age 30, of Boonville. Hodge is entered in NCIC, National Crime Information Center with Extradition. Anyone with information of whereabouts of Hodge is asked to call the Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office at 336-849-7811.

Both Starmount Middle School and Starmount High School entered into a lockdown on the advice of law enforcement during the incident.

Yadkin Schools Superintendent Todd Martin said the lockdown lasted approximately 15 minutes and the schools resumed normal operations.

“Situations like this are concerning and I want to assure everyone that we always put student safety at the forefront of all we do and that is what was done today,” Martin said.