ROCKINGHAM — Timothy “Tim” Lee Hayden, a Richmond County man accused of shooting two Ellerbe firefighters with an AR-15-style rifle on Labor Day, was granted bond despite pleas from victims and town officials.
Hayden, 54, received an $875,000 secured bond and a $5,000 secured bond for a charge of resisting a public officer. Prosecutors and local officials urged the judge to deny bond, citing community safety and the seriousness of the incident. He is charged with two counts of assault on emergency personnel with a firearm and one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.
District Judge Christopher Rhue of Scotland County was assigned to hear the case due to conflicts of interest with local judges.
He thanked the volunteer firefighters for their service.
“That’s a big difference, you’re not paid to do this work,” Rhue said.
Alexandria Harris, representing the state of North Carolina, detailed the events of Sept. 1, explaining firefighter Jerry Shepard arrived at Hayden’s home in an unmarked vehicle, while firefighter Jeremy Scott arrived in a marked truck with lights flashing but no sirens.
“All he can remember is shots being fired,” Harris said.
Investigators found seven to eight shell casings on Hayden’s porch.
Harris said a gate prevented the firefighters from entering the property, leading Hayden to fire from his porch.
“The seven shots is disturbing for the state,” Harris said. She also raised concerns about Hayden’s text messages with his son regarding firearms.
Harris and the firefighters said they believed the rifle used had a silencer, a claim Hayden’s attorney denied.
Shepard, who suffered a fracture below his kneecap, spoke during the hearing.
“I get hit, in a matter of seconds, turned our life around,” he said. Scott added, “I’m grateful that I’m able to stand here today.”
Other voices echoed the firefighters’ plea for no bond. N.C. Forest Service ranger Brandon Van Buren said, “It could’ve been any of us,” and Ellerbe Mayor Brenda Capel emphasized the community’s grief. “We are a big family in Ellerbe. When one of us hurt, all of us hurt,” Capel said.
Hayden’s attorney, Jason Dean, expressed condolences but argued that Hayden had no intention of harming first responders. He said Hayden, intoxicated after returning home around 3 a.m., accidentally set off his fire alarm and did not recognize the fire truck’s lights, firing warning shots at the ground instead. Dean pointed to Hayden’s business ties and philanthropy, saying he would attend rehabilitation if released.
Judge Rhue said Hayden’s actions put lives at risk.
“This could’ve resulted in the death of multiple people — easily,” he said. He added that alcohol was a key factor in the case and called the ruling difficult. “This is not an easy decision. I want everyone to know that,” Rhue said.
Bond conditions require Hayden to surrender his passport, avoid contact with victims, and stay at least 15 yards away from firearms. He must also abstain from alcohol, monitored by an ankle device that alerts authorities if he drinks. Any violations will result in the bond being revoked. Jail officials reported Hayden has taken courses and caused no disciplinary issues while incarcerated.
“At least three lives here at minimum, have changed,” Rhue said before finalizing bond conditions.
Hayden has a district court date set for Sept. 17. Additional charges could be forthcoming, and a grand jury is set to consider an indictment for attempted murder as soon as Monday.