CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A man was shot and killed by Catawba County deputies responding to a kidnapping was holding one of his sons hostage, investigators said Monday. Deputies responded to a call about a hostage situation on Village Circle, in the Mountain View community in Catawba County, just after 6 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1.
Authorities found an armed man, identified as 62-year-old Bobby Roy Farthing, holding another family member hostage when they arrived, deputies said. Deputies said crisis negotiators attempted to de-escalate the situation and encourage Farthing to release the hostage.
Deputies eventually shot Farthing after several attempts to resolve the situation. Catawba County EMS pronounced him dead at the scene, according to deputies. The hostage, who is one of Farthing's adult sons, was not harmed during the shooting.
"These incidents are tragic for all involved. We are thankful that the hostage was not injured and that no further loss of life occurred," Sheriff Don Brown said in a statement. "We will assist and cooperate fully with the SBI as they investigate. Our thoughts and prayers are with this family and with all of law enforcement officers and their families affected by this incident."
WCNC Charlotte has reached out to the Catawba County Sheriff's Office for further comment.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is initiating an investigation into this incident, according to the sheriff's office. The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office is also conducting an internal review.
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