A domestic dispute at a Davidson County home turned into an overnight manhunt this week after a man allegedly beat a female relative with a hammer handle, strangled her, then fired a gun at two other family members. Deputies say Kevin Spaugh Sr. fled into nearby woods before being captured at dawn following hours of searching by specialized law enforcement units.
The Davidson County Sheriff's Office says patrol deputies responded to 1493 Hartman Road in Lexington around 4:58 p.m. Monday after reports of a domestic assault and gunshots, according to the Mooresville Tribune. Investigators allege that Spaugh attacked a female family member with the handle of a hammer and strangled her before turning a firearm on two other family members and firing shots that struck neither of them, per the sheriff's office statement shared on Facebook. The female victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the attack.
Overnight Search Ends With Arrest at Dawn
After the alleged assault, Spaugh ran into a wooded area near the home, triggering an overnight search that stretched into the following morning. The sheriff's office's Emergency Response Team and Drone Team joined the effort, and deputies established a security perimeter around the woods while they searched. Spaugh was taken into custody without incident at 6:41 a.m. Tuesday, roughly 14 hours after the initial 911 calls.
Before Spaugh was booked, deputies took him to Lexington Medical Center for a medical evaluation, the sheriff's office noted in a separate post. He was then booked into the Davidson County Detention Center without bond, according to the same account, which was also referenced in reporting by Aaron Farrar News.
Multiple Felony Charges Filed
Detectives with the Davidson County Criminal Investigation Division charged Spaugh with felony assault by strangulation, two counts of assault by pointing a gun, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and misdemeanor domestic violence. The Mooresville Tribune reports Spaugh is a Lexington man who was arrested and held without bond following the charges.
Under North Carolina General Statute § 14-32.4(b), assault inflicting physical injury by strangulation is a Class H felony, according to the UNC School of Government. Separately, North Carolina General Statute § 15A-534.1 requires a judge, rather than a magistrate, to set bond in covered domestic violence cases; if a judge has not set bond after 48 hours, a magistrate may do so, per a separate UNC School of Government explainer.
Domestic Violence Allegations
The incident unfolded at a home on Hartman Road.
The incident involved allegations of domestic violence in Davidson County.
