WHITE OAK — A Bladen County deputy and a suspect were hospitalized Friday morning after an exchange of gunfire during an attempted arrest in the White Oak community. Both are expected to recover, according to the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began around 7:40 a.m., when the county’s 911 call center received an anonymous report that a wanted individual with multiple outstanding warrants had been seen in the 600 block of Pine Acres Road.
Deputies responded to the area and attempted to take the subject into custody. A confrontation followed, leading to a physical struggle. During the encounter, the suspect fired a weapon, striking a deputy in the bulletproof vest. Deputies returned fire, hitting the suspect.
The Sheriff’s Office said no life‑threatening injuries were reported. Both the deputy and the suspect were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Per standard protocol in North Carolina, the State Bureau of Investigation has been called in to conduct the criminal investigation. The District Attorney’s Office has also been notified.
The deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative duty pending an internal review, which is routine in officer‑involved shootings.
No names have been released.
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