Don Matthews Fatally Shot During Intense Hours-Long Standoff With Law Enforcement in Hamilton: North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Launches Active Probe Into Officer-Involved Shooting Across From Town Hall

In the early morning hours of Thursday, a deadly officer-involved shooting in the small town of Hamilton, North Carolina, escalated from a tense standoff into a fatal confrontation, leaving one man dead. While the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has yet to officially release the identity of the deceased, multiple neighbors and witnesses have identified the man as Don Matthews, a known local resident. Authorities are still working to confirm his identity as part of their ongoing investigation into the incident, which has since drawn significant attention from both the community and state officials.

The incident unfolded on North Front Street, directly across from Hamilton’s town hall, and gripped the town in a near ten-hour spectacle that began late Wednesday evening and extended into early Thursday morning. The confrontation involved multiple agencies, including the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and the Greenville Police Department’s Emergency Response Team, called in due to the escalating threat posed by an armed and reportedly intoxicated individual.

Timeline of Events

The first signs of trouble emerged around 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday, when local dispatch received several calls regarding a silver Chevrolet pickup truck seen circling the neighborhood repeatedly. Witnesses described the driver as appearing disoriented or under the influence and noted that he was reportedly in possession of a shotgun. The behavior was alarming enough that it quickly drew the attention of nearby residents, some of whom chose to shelter in place while others alerted authorities.

By approximately 9:15 p.m., the individual, believed to be Don Matthews, was observed entering a building located on North Front Street. Shortly after, he briefly emerged from the rear of the building before quickly retreating inside. Minutes later, he appeared again—this time at the front door—visibly armed, before once more withdrawing into the structure. This erratic and increasingly threatening behavior further elevated the urgency of the situation, prompting law enforcement to request additional tactical support.

Shots Fired and Tactical Response

At 12:15 a.m., the situation took a decisive and dangerous turn. Gunshots were reportedly heard emanating from inside the building. According to law enforcement dispatch records, these initial shots were unprovoked and signaled a clear threat to public safety and to the officers stationed outside. In response, the Greenville Police Department’s Emergency Response Team was deployed to the scene. The specialized team is trained to handle high-risk operations involving armed suspects and was tasked with safely de-escalating the standoff.

As officers surrounded the building, communication attempts were reportedly made with the suspect, though it remains unclear whether any dialogue was successfully established. Over the next several hours, authorities maintained a perimeter around the area, blocking off streets and urging residents to avoid the vicinity. Despite their efforts to bring the situation to a peaceful resolution, additional gunfire was reported intermittently from within the building throughout the night.

Final Moments and Use of Deadly Force

At approximately 5:30 a.m., after nearly nine hours of standoff and gunfire, officers were forced to engage the suspect with lethal force. Specific details of what prompted the final decision to use deadly force remain under review, but initial reports suggest that the suspect may have posed an immediate threat to law enforcement or others in the vicinity at that moment. A physician specializing in emergency medicine, who was embedded with the tactical response team, administered immediate life-saving efforts. Despite those efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Community Reaction and Ongoing Investigation

The events have shaken the small community of Hamilton, a quiet town where such violence is rare. Although officials have not confirmed the deceased’s identity, the name Don Matthews was repeatedly mentioned by neighbors as the man inside the building during the standoff. Residents described him as a complex figure—known to some as friendly, to others as troubled.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case, as is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings. The SBI is conducting a comprehensive and independent review of the incident, including analysis of body-worn camera footage (if available), interviews with witnesses and law enforcement officers, and forensic evaluation of the scene and all weapons involved.

Law enforcement has emphasized that the investigation remains in its early stages and that the public should refrain from drawing conclusions until all facts are verified. A spokesperson for the SBI noted, “We understand the community’s concerns and emotions following this tragic incident. Our role is to ensure that a thorough and impartial investigation is conducted, and we are committed to full transparency as the process unfolds.”

Questions Still Unanswered

A number of critical questions remain unanswered. These include:

• What prompted the suspect’s initial behavior in the neighborhood?
• Was there a prior history of interactions between Don Matthews and law enforcement?
• Were officers aware of the suspect’s mental health status or any substance use at the time?
• What exact circumstances led to the use of deadly force at 5:30 a.m.?

So far, no officers have been reported injured during the incident, and it is not yet clear whether Matthews fired directly at law enforcement or only discharged his weapon inside the building. The SBI will also be evaluating whether all protocols were followed, particularly regarding the deployment of the Emergency Response Team and the decision-making timeline.

Law Enforcement Statements and Next Steps

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office released a brief statement acknowledging the incident and confirming that an officer-involved shooting had occurred during the execution of a tactical response to an armed individual. They deferred further comment to the SBI, which is expected to release more detailed findings once the investigation is complete.

Meanwhile, the Greenville Police Department has offered full cooperation with the SBI inquiry. In a statement, the department expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and affirmed its commitment to accountability and public safety.

A community town hall meeting has been proposed for the coming week, where residents will have the opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, and seek reassurances from local officials and law enforcement representatives.

A Community in Mourning and Searching for Answers

As daylight broke on Thursday, the town of Hamilton remained somber. North Front Street, once a quiet neighborhood thoroughfare, had become the site of a tragedy that would linger in collective memory. Floral tributes and handwritten notes appeared on the sidewalk in front of the building where the incident occurred, some marked simply with the name “Don”.

While the SBI’s investigation may ultimately determine whether law enforcement actions were justified under the circumstances, the emotional impact on the community is already profound. For many residents, the incident raises urgent questions not only about law enforcement protocols but also about mental health, substance abuse, and community resources for those in crisis.

Until more details emerge, the town waits—with anxiety, with grief, and with the hope that clarity will bring closure.

Editor’s Note: As of publication, the identity of the deceased has not been officially confirmed by authorities. All references to Don Matthews are based on witness accounts and have not been verified by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation or the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.