Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Investigating Fatal Shooting in Andrews

Cherokee County, NC — On Friday, June 26, 2026, at approximately 11:14 a.m., deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office responded to 184 Wakefield Road in Andrews following a report of a gunshot victim.

Upon arrival, deputies located Jeffrey Wade McTaggart, 49, deceased in the backyard of the residence.

The individual who admitted to firing the weapon remained on scene and immediately called 911 to report the incident. The individual told investigators that an altercation had occurred between the two men and that he discharged his firearm in self-defense.

Due to the nature of the incident, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office requested assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Office of the District Attorney. Investigators from all three agencies are actively working to determine the circumstances surrounding Mr. McTaggart's death.

At this time, no arrests have been made. The investigation remains active and ongoing. No additional information will be released at this time to preserve the integrity of the investigation.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office would like to express its appreciation to the agencies that assisted with this incident, including the Andrews Police Department, Valleytown Fire and Rescue, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the District Attorney, Cherokee County EMS, and Cherokee County 911 Communications.

Sheriff Chris Wood issued the following statement:

"This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with everyone affected. Our investigators, along with the SBI and the District Attorney's Office, are committed to conducting a thorough, fair, and impartial investigation to ensure that all the facts are carefully examined. We appreciate the professionalism and assistance provided by our partner agencies as this investigation continues."

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office asks anyone with information relevant to this investigation to contact the Sheriff's Office at (828) 837-2589. You may remain anonymous.