Sheri : Boone shooter attacked father days earlier

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A gunman who killed his mother, father-in-law, two sheriff’s deputies and died at the scene of a shootout also attacked his father with a knife days before Wednesday’s shooting in Boone, North Carolina, according to Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman.

In interviews late Friday night and Saturday afternoon, Hagaman said the shooter’s father reported his 32-year-old son, Isaac Alton Barnes, first to the Avery County Sheriff’s County on Sunday and then called Watauga authorities after being referred to that department since the encounter took place within county limits in the town of Matney. He accused his son of pulling out a bowie knife and trying to harm him.

The father, Joseph Barnes, was trying to decide whether to have Isaac arrested for the alleged assault or pursue an involuntary commitment. The father then went to a magistrate but decided not to pursue the involuntary commitment, according to the sheriff. Joseph Barnes did not immediately respond to a phone call and text message seeking comment.

Hagaman said that before the mother and stepfather were killed, they had contacted his office on Monday out of concern for their son.

Family members warned the county sheriff’s office that the son was experiencing a mental breakdown and could be dangerous if approached.

In the meantime, Watauga County dispatchers warned officers on Sunday and Monday to be on the lookout for Isaac, who had fled to the woods along the Avery and Watauga County border after allegedly assaulting his father.

“They were trying to find Mr. Barnes, who was in essence, in the woods somewhere,” Hagaman said. “Camping out isn’t the right word, but he was hiding in the woods or staying in the woods. Nobody knew exactly where he was. When that report came from the dad of the allegation of brandishing a weapon, then that’s when we decided, ‘Well, if he’s in the woods maybe wait him out and see if he’ll come out.’ But he never did. The follow-up to that was what led to our deadly encounter with him.”

When Barnes’ mother and stepfather, Michelle and George Wyatt Ligon, didn’t show up to work or respond to calls on Wednesday, Sgt. Chris Ward and K-9 Deputy Logan Fox were sent to 553 Hardaman Circle at 9:44 a.m. to perform a welfare check. Upon arrival, they saw two cars outside the home belonging to the family and suspected the couple was inside. After knocking on the door and entering the house, they were met by an unexpected visitor.