Crime
Suspect in Shooting Death of Girlfriend Mackenzie Wisdom Released on $30,000 Bond the Same Day
According to the affidavit, Bunch-Stiles immediately told officers that he had accidentally shot his girlfriend.
GUN BARREL CITY, TX – A Gun Barrel City man arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of his girlfriend told authorities the incident was an accident, according to newly released court documents.
John David Bunch-Stiles, 23, was taken into custody Sunday following the shooting death of 22-year-old Mackenzie Wisdom.
An arrest affidavit from Henderson County states that Bunch-Stiles claimed his firearm discharged accidentally while he was transferring it between holsters.
Authorities responded to a shooting call at approximately 4:08 p.m. at a residence in Gun Barrel City.
Upon arrival, officers found Bunch-Stiles outside on the front lawn, waving them down.
According to the affidavit, Bunch-Stiles immediately told officers that he had accidentally shot his girlfriend.
Inside the home, Wisdom was found suffering from a gunshot wound to her upper right shoulder.
First responders administered life-saving measures before transporting her to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 4:46 p.m.
Bunch-Stiles was taken to the Gun Barrel City Police Department, where he provided a statement regarding the events leading up to the shooting.
According to the affidavit, he explained that he had been transferring his firearm from a holster he had been carrying to a soft holster for storage in a nightstand when the gun unexpectedly discharged, striking Wisdom as she lay on the bed.
Bunch-Stiles was booked on a charge of criminally negligent homicide early Monday morning. Jail records indicate he posted bond the same day for $30,000 and was released.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not yet disclosed whether additional charges may be considered.
Crime
4 Killed in Eden Crash at Carroll and Church Streets, Driver and Victims Identified
Michael Vernon, driver of dump truck involved charged.
A tragic crash in Eden, North Carolina, has left four people dead and several others injured following a multi-vehicle incident involving a dump truck and a utility work crew.
The Eden Police Department confirmed the incident occurred Thursday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Church Street, Carroll Street, and Park Road.
According to a news release from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), 66-year-old Michael Ray Vernon of Eden was operating a 2016 Hino dump truck owned by the City of Eden.
While traveling northbound on Carroll Street, Vernon failed to stop at a posted stop sign at the intersection with Church Street.
The dump truck proceeded through the intersection, striking six pedestrians—utility workers contracted through Carolina Power and Signalization—who were performing powerline work in the area.
The dump truck continued traveling north after striking the pedestrians, colliding with an occupied bucket truck before veering off the road and crashing into a ditch.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies arrived at the scene within minutes. Four of the six pedestrians were pronounced dead at the scene.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Douglas Garland Sides, 72, of Summerfield
- Madison Carter, 42, of Sandy Ridge
- William Evans, 35, of Randleman
- Matthew Lockwood, 30, of Winston-Salem
The two surviving pedestrians sustained life-threatening injuries and were airlifted to medical facilities.
They have been identified as:
- Hunter Carter, 24, of Reidsville – transported to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in critical condition
- Kevin Alexander, 34, of Eden – airlifted in stable condition
Cody Rich, 31, of Reidsville, who was inside the bucket truck at the time of the crash, was transported by ground to UNC Health Rockingham with non-life-threatening injuries.
Michael Vernon sustained minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
He has been charged with a stop sign violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.
Investigators confirmed that impairment is not believed to have played a role in the crash.
Further charges may be considered as the investigation progresses.
The intersection remained closed for several hours as law enforcement officers and emergency crews conducted their investigation.
The area was reopened to traffic at approximately 10:30 p.m.
In a statement, Duke Energy, which works in coordination with Carolina Power and Signalization, expressed condolences:
“We are saddened about the tragic event that happened today, and our hearts go out to the families and teammates of those involved. The safety of our employees, contractors, and customers is the highest priority at Duke Energy. We are working closely with law enforcement officials.”
The NCSHP continues to lead the investigation, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact local authorities.