Barrett

RONDA — Authorities fatally shot a domestic violence suspect accused of shooting a Wilkes County sheriff’s deputy and setting a house on fire in a Monday morning standoff.

James Monroe Barrett, 60, of 3659 Bethel Road, Jonesville, was injured in a shootout with police, deputies and State Bureau of Investigation agents and later died, SBI Special Agent-in-Charge Teresa West said Monday.

Barrett shot a deputy who responded to a domestic dispute in the Wilkes County town of Ronda, then set fire to a home before running into the woods, West said in a statement.

Authorities did not name the injured deputy, but said he was airlifted from the scene for emergency care.

The SBI, Wilkes County deputies, Wilkesboro police, N.C. Highway Patrol troopers and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission officers followed Barrett into the woods where a gunfight ensued, authorities said.

SBI agents are investigating the incident.