Suspect in attempted murder tries to escape on riding lawnmower, NC sheriff says

A terrifying attempted murder case took a strange turn when the suspect tried to escape on a riding lawnmower – while carrying a .410 shotgun, according to North Carolina investigators.

It happened Friday on Stone Hill Lane near Sanford, and the 62-year-old suspect was caught after realizing he might get farther on foot, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office reported in an April 20 news release.

Riding mowers average about 5 to 8 mph.

“The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a ... domestic disturbance in which an individual was reportedly firing a shotgun at people inside a residence,” the sheriff’s office said.

“The suspect, Woodrow Allen Smith, fled the scene on a riding lawnmower while carrying the firearm and was last seen heading east toward a nearby storage building. Deputies located the mower in that area and began searching for the suspect.”

Smith was captured and has been charged with: felony attempted first degree murder; felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill; felony discharging a firearm Into occupied property; felony possession of a firearm by a felon, and misdemeanor simple assault, officials said. He is being held without bond, officials said.

A woman and two “juveniles” were in the home during the shooting, and none of them were hit by gunfire, officials say. An arrest warrant reports Smith threatened to use the gun to kill one of the juveniles, and used his hands to choke the boy.

Investigators did not release a motive, or details of Smith’s relationship to the victims.

The home is about a 40-mile drive southwest from downtown Raleigh.