Last Updated on July 8, 2025 2:51 pm
On Monday July 7th at approximately 1230, Avery County 911 Center were notified of an unknown person traveling from Mitchell County toward Avery County that was discharging a firearm into vehicles on US 19 E. Avery County deputies responded to the southern end of our County to attempt to locate the vehicle. A short time later a NC State Highway Patrol Trooper spotted a vehicle matching the description turn off of US19E onto Powder Mill Creek. Deputies responding located the unoccupied vehicle wrecked down an embankment near the head of Powder Mill Creek. Avery County Sheriff's Office Personnel responded to the area and initiated a search for the armed suspect.
As the search began, multiple agencies responded in support to include Federal, State and local partners from both adjoining counties and local police departments to assist with the manhunt. We utilized multiple assets in the search to include the NC State Highway Patrol Aviation Unit, Drone teams, Dog tracking teams, multiple tactical teams and armored vehicles.
At approximately 630pm the suspect was located in a wooded area at the head of Powder Mill Creek near the area of our concentrated search. The suspect surrendered to officers unarmed and without incident.
Our preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was visiting Yancey County and had stayed in their jurisdiction overnight prior to the day of the incident. The incident began in Burnsville NC (Yancey County) at approximately 1100, where the armed robbery and vehicle theft occurred in the parking area at the Ingles grocery store. The suspect fled the scene in the stolen vehicle traveling US 19E toward Mitchell County. As he traveled through Mitchell County he discharged a firearm at multiple vehicles. The suspect continued on US19E in to Avery County where he was apprehended after a several hours long manhunt.
The suspect was identified as a Linc Nolan Bloomfield, 62 years of age from Edna Texas. He is currently in the Avery County Detention Center under no bond. He is charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle in Avery County and multiple felony charges from Mitchell and Yancey counties. Additional charges are pending multiple investigations in multiple jurisdictions.
