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Detective shot during standoff improving

Staff Reports

The News Herald

Published: December 14, 2007

Morganton, NC - A sheriff's deputy wounded in the standoff that started Tuesday night and lasted for 13 hours may be improving.

Detective Martin Lawing, 31, was shot in the neck when law enforcement tried to make contact with Eva Joyce Nelson, 60.

According to the sheriff's office, Lawing has regained feeling in his legs down to his knees, and his fever is gone.

Nelson shot Lawing when he and other deputies tried to throw a bag phone into her home, where she had barricaded herself.

Sheriff John McDevitt and another deputy transported Lawing to Grace Hospital, where he was then taken to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

McDevitt was in Charlotte Thursday, along with many other officers, to support Lawing's family.

Sheriff's deputies went to Nelson's house, 1726 Suburban Road off Enola Road, Tuesday around 6:30 p.m. to serve involuntary commitment papers at the request of her daughter.

Nelson refused to come out and started shooting when SWAT team members tried to throw in a bag phone for communication.

Law enforcement tried teargas throughout the night to get Nelson to come out to no avail.

A little before 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, law enforcement used an armored vehicle to get close to the house and gain entry through a window. Nelson surrendered soon after.

No one else was hurt during the standoff.

Nelson was taken to Broughton Hospital following the standoff.