The woman traveling with Michael Eugene Edgerton has been charged with accessory after the fact of attempted murder in Roanoke Rapids police officer John Taylor’s shooting.
State Bureau of Investigation Agent Walter Brown also filed charges of possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a stolen vehicle against Renee Michele Phillips, said Lieutenant Bobby Martin of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, who served the papers to the 43-year-old Southampton, Pennsylvania resident.
Martin said Roanoke Rapids plans to do a media release on the matter Friday and declined to elaborate, saying only Phillips and Edgerton, who killed himself this morning, were traveling together.
Phillips was jailed without bond and will have a first court appearance Friday in Halifax.
It was not clear where Edgerton, 38, and Phillps were going when officer Taylor stopped them for following too close on Interstate 95 at the 172 mile marker, Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Jeff Hinton said at a press conference this afternoon.
Halifax County Sheriff Jeff Frazier said bloodhounds flushed the pair from the woods about 100 yards away from Halifax Academy where the stolen car they were in following the shooting was ditched.
After the dogs discovered them, a short-standoff ensued and the woman was taken into custody, according to Hinton. Edgerton was located in the woods dead and a .380 pistol recovered, said Frazier.
It is not clear whether the weapon Edgerton used to allegedly kill himself was the same weapon used to fire multiple shots at Taylor, who was undergoing wrist surgery today at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville.
Phillips was being interviewed by agents from the State Bureau of Investigation. Hinton said investigators have not determined what charges will be filed against her. The relationship between Edgerton and Phillips was not immediately known.
“We’re most pleased that this incident has come to a close,” Hinton said.
While the chief said he hated the ordeal ended with a death, he explained, “We’re pleased none of our officers or civilians were injured.”
Hinton announced the Police Benevolent Association has established the John Taylor Foundation through BB&T to assist with travel expenses for the 31-year-old officer’s family.
Halifax Academy closed for the day and Frazier said officers never left where the car was ditched.
Officers at the press conference credited the state Highway Patrol and officers from other agencies for sealing off exit points for the pair.
“We can breathe a sigh of relief for the other officers,” Hinton said. “The community and businesses stepped up for the family of the officer. We appreciate it so much.”
