Don Matthews Identified by Neighbors as Man Fatally Shot by Police After Armed Nine-Hour Standoff in Hamilton; North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Conducting Ongoing Review of Officer-Involved Shooting Near Town Hall
A man was fatally shot by police early Thursday morning following a prolonged armed standoff in the small town of Hamilton, North Carolina, in an incident now under active investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). Although officials have not yet released the deceased’s identity, multiple neighbors have identified the man as Don Matthews, a local resident known in the community. Authorities have not confirmed his identity, pending formal notification and investigation.
The deadly confrontation occurred on North Front Street, directly across from Hamilton Town Hall, and began late Wednesday evening. What started as a report of an allegedly intoxicated man with a weapon evolved into a high-risk tactical operation involving local deputies and the Greenville Police Department’s Emergency Response Team. The standoff spanned nearly nine hours and ended in the fatal shooting of the man around 5:30 a.m. Thursday.
Initial Reports and Escalation
The first signs of the unfolding crisis were reported to dispatch at approximately 8:45 p.m. Wednesday night, when residents noticed a silver Chevrolet pickup truck repeatedly circling the neighborhood. The driver was reportedly behaving erratically, and witnesses suspected he was under the influence and armed with a shotgun. Several concerned residents called emergency services, prompting a swift response from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
By 9:15 p.m., the man believed to be Don Matthews had exited the vehicle and entered a building on North Front Street. According to multiple eyewitnesses, he briefly emerged from the rear of the structure before quickly retreating inside. Shortly after, he appeared again at the front entrance holding a visible firearm before disappearing back into the building. These movements raised alarms among both residents and responding deputies, leading officials to classify the situation as a potential public safety threat.
Gunfire and Tactical Deployment
At approximately 12:15 a.m. Thursday, more than three hours into the standoff, gunshots rang out from within the building. Deputies on the scene immediately called for backup from the Greenville Police Department’s Emergency Response Team (ERT), a highly trained tactical unit equipped to deal with armed and barricaded subjects. The deployment signaled a significant escalation and confirmed that authorities were preparing for a potentially violent resolution.
After the gunfire, officers continued to monitor the building, issue verbal commands, and attempt to establish contact with the suspect. While it is unclear whether any negotiation attempts were successful, law enforcement sources suggest the individual inside did not respond to communication efforts. Over the next several hours, the standoff continued, with occasional sounds of movement or activity reported from within the structure.
Law enforcement maintained a tight perimeter, urging local residents to remain indoors and avoid the area. Streets were cordoned off as officers braced for the possibility of further violence. Emergency medical personnel were staged nearby in anticipation of potential injuries.
Fatal Encounter at Dawn
At approximately 5:30 a.m., after nearly nine hours of containment and tactical maneuvers, law enforcement officers fatally shot the suspect inside the building. According to sources, the use of deadly force was a response to what authorities perceived as an immediate and credible threat to the safety of officers or others nearby.
A physician specializing in emergency medicine, embedded with the tactical team, administered immediate medical aid at the scene. Despite those efforts, the man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on-site.
No officers were injured during the operation, and law enforcement have since stated that they are fully cooperating with the SBI investigation, which is now tasked with reviewing the entire sequence of events leading to the fatal shooting.
Investigation Underway
As of Thursday afternoon, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation had taken over the case, launching an independent and comprehensive review. The SBI’s inquiry will include examination of body-worn camera footage, forensic evidence from the scene, weapons analysis, and interviews with all officers involved.
In line with state protocol, the names of the officers involved have not yet been released, nor have any additional details regarding the specific actions that led to the shooting. The SBI has emphasized that the investigation remains active and that no conclusions should be drawn until all evidence is evaluated.
A representative for the SBI released a statement:
“We are conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the events that occurred in Hamilton. We understand the public’s desire for answers and will provide further information as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, we ask for patience and cooperation.”
Community Reaction and Identity Speculation
While law enforcement has not officially named the deceased, several neighbors and local residents have identified the man as Don Matthews, though this remains unconfirmed by authorities. Descriptions of Matthews among neighbors vary—some describe him as quiet and reclusive, while others say he had recently shown signs of distress or erratic behavior. There is no official word yet on whether Matthews had a history of mental illness, prior arrests, or other documented interactions with law enforcement.
The town of Hamilton, with a population of just over 400, has been shaken by the incident. Community members have expressed both grief and concern over the events, with many calling for transparency in the investigative process.
Several residents gathered near the scene on Thursday, leaving flowers and handwritten notes outside the building where Matthews was killed. “He needed help, not bullets,” one message read, reflecting a sentiment voiced by some community members who believe that more resources for mental health and crisis intervention might have changed the outcome.
Unanswered Questions
Despite the details released so far, many important questions remain unanswered:
- Was the man inside the building actually Don Matthews, and what was his state of mind during the incident?
- Did law enforcement attempt negotiations or utilize non-lethal options before resorting to deadly force?
- What was the nature of the threat at 5:30 a.m. that prompted officers to fire their weapons?
- Was the suspect firing at police, or were the earlier gunshots solely contained within the structure?
- Were all law enforcement policies and protocols followed during the operation?
The SBI is expected to release additional findings in the coming weeks, including a final report that may answer some of these questions.
Looking Ahead
In the wake of this tragedy, the Hamilton community is left to grieve, reflect, and wait for answers. Town officials have announced plans to host a community forum next week, where residents will have an opportunity to express concerns and hear directly from law enforcement and investigative authorities.
The death of the man believed to be Don Matthews has reignited conversations around police use of force, mental health resources in rural areas, and the protocols surrounding standoff situations involving armed individuals. For now, Hamilton is a town in mourning, grappling with the aftermath of a violent encounter that no one wanted—but that ended in irreversible loss.
