Woman shot searching for horse; two men charged

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Two men were arrested on multiple drug and weapon charges, and a woman is recovering from a gunshot wound after a dispute in Riegelwood Wednesday evening.

Emily Partain, 25, was transported to New Hanover Regional with a small caliber gunshot wound to the leg. The wound was not life threatening.

Deputies were called to the 400 block of Hufham Road around 7:20 p.m. after Partain was shot while searching for a missing horse, according to the sheriff’s office. Law enforcement secured the scene and she was taken to the hospital by Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire-Rescue.

Pursuant to the investigation, deputies made contact with Frederick Lavon Thomas, 23, and his father, Jimmy Allen Thomas, 58, both of 266 Hufham Road. Law enforcement seized several firearms, including a .22 rifle and a Mossberg shotgun.

Neither man has been charged with shooting Partain.

The elder Thomas was charged with seven counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, and held under $10,000 secured bond. Frederick Thomas was charged with possession of a stolen firearm, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for drug activities, and paraphernalia. His bond was set at $12,500.

This is a developing story.

About Jefferson Weaver 1928 Articles
Jefferson Weaver is the Managing Editor of Columbus County News and he can be reached at (910) 914-6056, (910) 632-4965, or by email at [email protected].