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Man dies after alleged self-inflicted gunshot wound at High Country Fairgrounds

Last Updated on June 6, 2022 1:20 pm

UPDATE Monday June 6, 2022 – Here's an update from Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman:

​On June 5th, 2022 the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office responded to 739 Roby Greene Rd, Boone NC 28607 as a result of a reported gunshot victim.  Lifesaving efforts were conducted by medical and fire personnel on scene but ultimately John Nicholas Porter, a 28 year old resident of Watauga County, was pronounced deceased.  

An investigation into the incident is still ongoing, however the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office is not seeking any suspects at this time, and has no reason to believe that any other members of the public were at risk during the incident.  


Sunday, June 5, 2022 – A man has died after an alleged self-inflicted gunshot wound on Sunday morning at the High Country Fairgrounds.

Watauga County Deputies, and EMS, responded to the Fairgrounds, located on Roby Greene Road, for a gunshot wound shortly before 10am, according to scanner dispatches at the time and a Watauga County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) report. The initial dispatch was a male had been shot, but once on scene Deputies determined the wound to be self-inflicted and EMS was cleared to enter, according to the WCSO report.

Bystanders had already started to perform CPR but lifesaving efforts were stopped once EMS performed their assessment, according to the WCSO report.

The scene was secured, and the on-call investigator responded, according to the WCSO report. The medical examiner also responded and after the scene was processed, the body was transported to the morgue, according to the WCSO report. A Chaplain was contacted for the family on scene and remained just prior to Deputies clearing, according to the WCSO report.

According to Sheriff Len Hagaman, “The incident is an ongoing investigation and the investigator is awaiting the cause of death from the medical examiner.”

The Fairgrounds was the site this weekend for the Boone Bike (Motorcycle) rally.

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