Man dies after call for help
By Lee Williams
Published in News on October 17, 2006 1:46 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- Wayne County Sheriff's Office investigators' attempt to catch a man who was allegedly troubled by financial woes took a tragic turn Monday morning on Indian Springs Road.
Ronnie Earl Edmundson, 53, of Tranquil Lane, died from a gunshot wound to the head after an encounter with law enforcement officials, Wayne County Sheriff's spokesman Capt. George Raecher said.
"We got a report of a missing person, and it was tracked by Onstar," Raecher said. "It enabled law enforcement officers to locate the vehicle."
Raecher said his department received a call about a missing person from Mount Olive who might be in danger about 10:15 a.m.
Edmundson, who was behind the wheel of a late model Chevrolet pickup truck, stopped at a stop sign on Indian Springs Road near Old Mount Olive Highway, Raecher said. Wayne County Sheriff's investigators Sgts. Mike Kabler and Bob Golimowski drove up behind the vehicle.
"As Detective Kabler and Golimowski approached the vehicle, they heard a gunshot come from the vehicle," Raecher said. "They retreated to their vehicle until backup arrived."
Authorities returned to Edmundson's truck and found the victim injured.
"They approached the victim and found the victim sitting in the driver seat, with a single gunshot wound to the head," Raecher said.
A note was found in the vehicle, officials said.
"No foul play is expected," Raecher added.