‘Squatter’ pulls gun on worker, then worker pulls gun, NC cops say. Chaos ensues

UPDATE: Thomas Ray Blevins, also known as “Tommy Guns,” was arrested Jan. 27 in Raleigh in connection with the Jan. 16 shootout at a home in Newport, N.C., the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office says.

The original story is below.

A morning on the job turned into a gunfight for a North Carolina man, when he entered a vacant estate property and faced an armed “squatter,” according to investigators.

The confrontation happened around 8:30 a.m. Jan. 16 in the Newport area, and the worker had a gun, too, and wasn’t afraid to use it, the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

“A private law firm employee encountered (Thomas Ray) Blevins unlawfully present at an estate property under their legal control. An argument ensued ... which escalated when Blevins allegedly drew a handgun and started shooting several rounds,” the sheriff’s office said.

“One of the employees reportedly retreated to a vehicle to retrieve a handgun as Blevins allegedly continued to fire. The employee reportedly returned fire. However, Blevins ran away from the scene.”

The worker was not injured. His identity was not released.

Thomas Ray Blevins, 46, was named as a suspect and warrants were issued charging him with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, six counts of shooting Into an occupied vehicle in operation and possession of firearm by felon, the sheriff’s office said.

Newport is about a 140-mile drive southeast from downtown Raleigh.

This story was originally published January 16, 2026 at 1:25 PM.