A man accused of shooting a Franklin County Deputy was formally charged on Thursday.
Jermaine Branch, 40, faces several charges, including attempted murder, assault on a government official and possession of a stolen firearm, after investigators say he shot Deputy Taylor Lucas.
Other WRAL Top Stories
Deputies said Lucas was pursuing a crime suspect when the suspect shot at him. Investigators said both Branch and two deputies fired shots at each other.
Both Branch and Lucas were taken to the hospital. Both have since been released.
White said that Lucas was "shot at point-blank range, directly in the heart of his chest."
Franklin County Sheriff Kevin White said if Lucas had not been wearing his bulletproof vest, he likely would have died.
On Thursday, Branch was moved to Central State Prison in Raleigh and is being held without bond. He is expected back in court on Monday, Jan. 12, at 9 a.m.
