Bladen man pleads guilty to shooting at officers during traffic stop
BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) - A Bladen County man is headed to prison after he pleaded guilty to shooting at two law enforcement officials during a traffic stop in 2016.
According to the District Attorney's Office, Dennis Marshall, 30, of Elizabethtown, entered a guilty plea to two counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer.
He was sentenced to 15-19 years in prison.
Schamle conducted a traffic stop on Marshall on Poplar Street. As Schmale processed Marshall's information, he realized Marshall had an active felony warrant for failure to appear in New Hanover County on a drug charge.
Schmale attempted to take Marshall into custody, but a struggle ensued. Marshall managed to make it back to his vehicle where he grabbed a handgun. Schmale and Marshall fought for control of the weapon
Elizabethtown Police Officer J. Blake Bryan, who was parked a short distance away, saw the altercation and rushed over to try and help Schmale.
Marshall reportedly gained possession of the gun and fired a shot at Bryan missing the officer.
Both Schmale and Bryan returned fire striking Marshall several times. Neither officer was harmed during the exchange of gunfire.
Marshall was rushed to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
Following an investigation by the SBI and the Elizabethtown Police Department, Marshall was charged following his release from the hospital.
"This case serves as a vivid reminder of the dangerous job that officers do to serve and protect our community," said District Attorney Jon David. "Mercifully, the police officers were not physically injured and Mr. Marshall will be sent to prison to serve a lengthy sentence. The officers involved should be commended for a job well done."
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