Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
On Thursday, Aug. 25 at 2:45 p.m., the Swain County Sheriff's Office received a call about shots being fired near Kirkland Creek Road and Shepherds Creek Road.
Upon arrival, deputies determined Gregory Lee Cline, 46, of 1232 Sitton Creek Road, Bryson City, allegedly fired the shots and fled the area. The shots fired from a 40-caliber handgun were at another man with the intent to kill the individual, according to the magistrate’s order on file at Swain County Clerk of Courts Office. The shots were being fired at the man while he was standing in the street, causing fear and panic through the neighborhood. No further information was available as to the relationship between Cline and the victim.
Law enforcement searched the area on foot, and Cline was located and arrested before K-9 officers were deployed, according to Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran.
Cline was charged with the following: assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, possession of a firearm by felon, going armed to the terror of people, and injury to personal property.
The property damage charge stems from Cline allegedly throwing a rock at the driver’s side door of an area resident while she was driving her 2016 truck, causing damage to the vehicle exceeding $200, according to the magistrate’s warrant.
Cline’s previous felonious charges include felony breaking and entering, a charge from 1995 that he pleaded guilty to that same year.
Cline also has additional charges to which he is scheduled to appear in court including driving while license revoked and misdemeanor larceny.
He is currently being held at the Swain County jail under a $65,000 secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 12.
Swain Sheriff Cochran said he would also thank the Cherokee Indian Police Department, Macon County Sheriff’s Office K-9, and Franklin Police Department K-9 for their assistance with the search of the community to locate the suspect.