3 deputies hurt in fight with man in North Carolina
Mar 28, 2025
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Three Orange County deputies were injured after a fight broke out with a man they were trying to arrest Thursday, officials said.
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the Timbers Manufactured Home Community in Hillsborough after resi
dents reported a man was throwing rocks and bricks at trailers, pulling on air conditioning units, and exhibiting "concerning" behaviors.
Deputies said they were given a physical description of the suspect from witnesses and residents. They were also told the suspect stole items from another residence.
According to the sheriff's office, the deputies saw a man standing inside a home with an open door who matched the description of the suspect. When they opened the residence to arrest the man, a fight ensued.
The man, 53-year-old Jorge Luis Lopez, was taken into custody with the assistance of Hillsborough officers and additional deputies, according to the sheriff's office.
A warrant shows Lopez is charged with assault on law enforcement with serious injury, assault with physical injury on law enforcement (two counts), and felony larceny.
Deputies said Lopez has more charges, including damage to property, that are expected.
According to the sheriff's office, because detention center practices recommend not holding a detainee in the custody of an agency whose personnel he has allegedly assaulted, Lopez will be held at a neighboring county jail.
Court records show Lopez was not given a bond. He is scheduled to make his first appearance in Orange County Court on Thursday afternoon.
"Law enforcement officers intellectually know their job comes with risk, but the reality of the sacrifice they are willing to make for the public remains somewhat abstract until it is not," Sheriff Charles Blackwood said in a statement. "Today, their sacrifice was very real and it was painful.
"That said, I am grateful all three deputies are expected to make a full recovery," Blackwood continued in his statement. "I appreciate the help we received from Hillsborough police and deputies from other divisions of our agency. I would like to extend special thanks to the Emergency Services telecommunicators at the 911 center who guided us into and out of that call." ...read more read less