Police Shooting Leaves Man Dead in Hickory Neighborhood

Authorities investigating after officers respond to 911 call and encounter armed suspect

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:34pm

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An extreme close-up of a single spent shell casing from a handgun, the metallic surface reflecting the harsh lighting and creating a stark, gritty visual that conceptually represents the investigation into a police shooting incident.The investigation into a police shooting that left one man dead in Hickory, North Carolina has raised questions about use of force and mental health response protocols.Catawba Today

A 64-year-old man was shot and killed by Hickory police officers on Friday morning after he allegedly fired a weapon at passing vehicles and refused commands to drop the gun. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent probe into the incident, which occurred in the Kenworth Historic Neighborhood.

Why it matters

Officer-involved shootings are a sensitive and high-profile issue, with ongoing debates around police use of force, mental health response protocols, and community trust in law enforcement. This incident will likely prompt further scrutiny and dialogue around these complex topics in the Hickory area.

The details

According to Hickory Police, officers responded to a 911 call from a woman reporting her husband, James Andrew Thompson, was armed and intended to harm himself. Neighbors then called 911 to report Thompson was firing a weapon at passing vehicles, striking one driver who was transported to a hospital in stable condition. When officers arrived, Thompson was seated on his porch holding a handgun. He refused commands to drop the weapon and raised it toward the officers, who then discharged their firearms, killing Thompson.

  • The incident occurred on Friday, April 3, 2026 around 8:35 AM.
  • Thompson was pronounced deceased at the scene by Catawba County EMS.

The players

James Andrew Thompson

A 64-year-old Hickory resident who was fatally shot by police after allegedly firing a weapon at passing vehicles and refusing commands to drop the gun.

Hickory Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the initial 911 call and was involved in the shooting incident.

North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI)

The state agency that has been tasked with conducting an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting.

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What they’re saying

“Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Hickory Police Department at (828)328-5551 or Investigator Cameron Storie at (828)261-2600, Ext. 2686.”

— Hickory Police Department

What’s next

The SBI investigation is ongoing, and the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the complex challenges facing law enforcement when responding to mental health crises and the need for continued dialogue around de-escalation tactics, crisis intervention training, and building trust between police and the communities they serve.