On January 13, 2023, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office responded to an incident on US 220 business just south of McDowell Road to an armed person call. Upon arrival, deputies met with the caller who described a road rage incident that resulted in his vehicle being rammed by the other driver and the other driver shooting his vehicle. The NC Highway Patrol responded to investigate the vehicle accident.
The caller reported that while traveling southbound on I-73, the suspect vehicle passed him at a high rate of speed. Both vehicles exited the interstate onto McDowell Road and turned left headed toward US 220 Business. The suspect vehicle slowed to 5 miles per hour and the caller reportedly passed the suspect vehicle on McDowell Road. Upon turning south onto US 220 Business, the suspect fired a shot at the caller’s vehicle striking it from behind. The caller reported stopping in the roadway and fleeing from the vehicle. The suspect then rammed the caller’s vehicle pushing it 10-15 feet down the roadway and then fleeing the scene.
During the investigation, the caller and a witness to the incident reported seeing the suspect vehicle drive by the scene. Deputies located the suspect vehicle on McDowell Road and conducted a traffic stop; the driver was identified as Christopher Michael Lee.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol was requested to respond to the traffic stop to conduct an investigation for DWI. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, a loaded hand gun was located in the passenger seat. Lee was arrested by the Highway Patrol for DWI.
Lee was charged by the Sheriff’s Deputy for felony discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling/moving vehicle, misdemeanor hit/run leave scene property damage, misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon, misdemeanor possession of marijuana up to ½ oz. He was issued a $50,000 secured bond and a first appearance was set for January 17, 2023, in Randolph County District Court.
Names of Defendant:
Christopher Michael Lee
Age: 35