WASHINGTON COUNTY (KFSM) – The Washington County deputy who was shot in the chest Wednesday night is in good spirits while awaiting surgery scheduled for Friday, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Another man shot the same night in a related incident died from his injuries.
Cpl. Taylor Reed was walking toward a house on South Whitehouse Road outside of Fayetteville on Wednesday night to investigate a shooting inside. The woman who called 911 to report the initial shooting---Roberta Hill---accidentally shot Reed in the arm through the darkness with a .38-caliber revolver. The bullet then traveled into Reed’s chest, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
"He was in a lot of pain last night," Sheriff Tim Helder said, "But he's in good spirits and knows that the outcome is going to be great."
The deputy was transported to Washington Regional Medical Center, where his condition was described by emergency crews as critical but stable. He was awake and alert Thursday and saw several visitors at the hospital, including his wife and baby, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
"He just excels at everything he does," the sheriff said, "Just a good family man and a good guy."
Reed, 29, was wearing a bullet-proof vest and holding a long-rifle at the time of the shooting, but the bullet missed the vest and hit him in the armpit area, according to the Sheriff’s Office. His K-9 unit dog Cody was not injured, a family member told 5NEWS.
An investigation into the situation revealed 26-year-old Sam Hill shot and killed his father Wednesday night following an argument at 12397 S. Whitehouse Road, according to the Sheriff’s Office. His mother Roberta Hill, 55, escaped out of a window during the shooting and later accidentally shot Reed, thinking he was her son in the darkness. She was not arrested and may not face charges, although the investigation is ongoing, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
"She's in shock I think. I think that she is scared for her life...She basically has come out to a point and she sees somebody approaching and when that light comes on, she just starts hammering away," Helder said.
A representative for the Sheriff’s Office told 5NEWS deputies believe Roberta Hill legitimately feared for her life at the time she shot Reed.
Sam Hill’s father Allen Hill, 61, died from his wounds after being shot multiple times in the chest.
A neighbor told 5NEWS that Allen Hill was a well-known man.
"He was well-respected by everybody. He was a good fellow. He would help anybody out," said Karl Baker, Hill's friend of more than 40 years. "All they had to do was ask, and he was there to help them."
Sam Hill fled from the scene to his home on South Morningside Drive in Fayetteville, where authorities later found and arrested him. He suffered a gunshot wound to the hip and was transported to Washington Regional Medical Center, where he will remain until he is healed enough to be booked into the Washington County Detention Center, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
A deputy is stationed at Hill’s room as a guard. Hill faces a charge of capital murder. A Sheriff’s Office news release states he will likely face other charges as well.
Reed has been with the Sheriff’s Office since April 2007. He started as a dispatcher and moved to patrol in Sept. 2009. To find out more about the murder, the deputy being shot and the arrest, click on the video below.
