WAYNE COUNTY, NC – A Wayne County man is in custody following a reported shooting incident that prompted a law enforcement response involving SWAT and hostage negotiators.
According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were patrolling the southern end of the county on January 28, 2026, when they encountered a man running toward them along the roadway. The individual, identified as Jimmy Overton, told deputies that Jesse Taylor had fired a weapon at him following a dispute over property.
Deputies responded to the property and confirmed that Taylor was still inside. Due to the nature of the call, detectives with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office were requested to assist, along with the Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and hostage negotiators.
During the incident, hostage negotiators were able to establish communication with Taylor and successfully persuaded him to exit the property. Taylor was taken into custody without incident.
Following an investigation, Jesse Shawn Taylor, 54, of Emmaus Church Road in Dudley, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and discharging a weapon into occupied property. Taylor is being held without bond.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
