An Old Fort man on the run from nine child sex abuse charges shot himself in his pickup truck in the midst of a chase with authorities Wednesday afternoon.
Kenneth Eugene Barrier, 37, of Old Fort-Sugar Hill Road died at the scene on Lower Haw Branch Road.
Detective Lt. Dan Shook of the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office said a local grand jury indicted Barrier last week on 10 felony charges – one count of distributing a controlled substance to a minor and nine counts of sex offenses with a minor.
When Barrier became aware of the indictments shortly after 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, he fled in a red pickup truck. He led officers on a “considerable” pursuit in the Bat Cave and Old Fort-Sugar Hill areas, traveling at speeds of up to 50 mph on side roads, according to Shook.
“We received information that he was a possible threat to officers and/or himself,” the lieutenant stated.
When the chase reached Lower Haw Branch Road, Barrier stopped his truck, put a large-caliber handgun to his head and pulled the trigger.
“He shot himself before deputies had a chance to get to him or say anything to him,” said Shook.
Agents with the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation are examining the case.
Also aiding deputies Wednesday were members of the Old Fort Police Department, the N.C. Highway Patrol and McDowell County EMS.
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