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Joel Scott Wimbush Jr.

Age : 44

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 02/05/2026

Location : 110 Tenth Street SE

City : Hildebran

County : Burke

State : North Carolina

Agency : U.S. Marshals Service; Burke County Sheriff’s Office; Catawba County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) :Unknown

Cause of Death : Unknown

Event : Found dead after standoff, cause of death not explained

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 02/05/2026, U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement attempted to apprehend Joel Scott Wimbush Jr. at a residence on Tenth Street SE while serving felony warrants issued by Statesville police. Officers confirmed he was inside and armed and spent several hours negotiating after he refused to surrender. Tactical teams deployed armored vehicles and breached the front door, then used a drone to search the interior where he was located deceased. Wimbush had been wanted on charges including attempted first degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and firearm possession by a felon. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was requested to investigate the death, and authorities have not disclosed how he died.

 

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/drone-finds-man-dead-inside-hildebran-home-following-standoff/EDKEP5ACQFHB7JDMRKNV7SZ2KQ/
https://www.wbtv.com/2026/02/06/drone-helps-locate-man-found-dead-inside-home-burke-county-after-standoff-with-law-enforcement/
https://www.iredellfreenews.com/news-features/2026/man-wanted-by-spd-for-attempted-murder-and-felony-assault-charges-found-dead-in-hildebran-home-after-standoff/