On January 13, 2026, North Carolina and Tennessee found themselves at the center of a series of events that tested the mettle of law enforcement, the resilience of communities, and the preparedness of institutions to face the all-too-familiar specter of gun violence. From a harrowing workplace shooting in Rutherford County to a manhunt in Stokes County and a full-scale active shooter training exercise in Knoxville, these incidents and drills offer a stark reminder of the challenges faced by first responders and the communities they serve.
In Rutherford County, North Carolina, a routine afternoon at Mack’s Liver Mush & Meats facility on Hopewell Road in Shelby was shattered by gunfire. According to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, the call came in at around 3:38 p.m., reporting that an employee had been shot and the shooter remained inside the plant. The facility, located near the border with Cleveland County, quickly became the focus of a massive police response.
Deputies arrived on the scene to find one employee wounded. The victim was swiftly transported to Spartanburg Medical Center for treatment, though authorities did not immediately release details about the extent of the injuries. The shooter, identified as Donta Laney of Forest City, was taken into custody without incident. As reported by WBTV and FOX Carolina, Laney now faces a charge of attempted first-degree murder and is being held without bond.
Authorities were quick to reassure the public that this was an isolated incident and that there was no ongoing threat to the community. The swift apprehension of Laney and the absence of further violence provided some measure of relief, but the event underscored the unpredictable dangers that can erupt in workplaces. The investigation remains ongoing, with law enforcement piecing together the circumstances that led to the shooting.
Just hours earlier, another community in North Carolina was grappling with a very different, but equally alarming, situation. In Stokes County, law enforcement was called to the 1000 block of Poplar Spring Road shortly before noon after reports of a shooting. According to the Stokes County and Rockingham County Sheriff’s Offices, a woman had been shot and was rushed to the hospital by a family member. Her condition remains unknown at this time.
The suspect, 50-year-old Thomas Sharp Jr., is believed to have been in a relationship with the victim. After the shooting, Sharp fled the scene in a 2016 silver Chevrolet Silverado, bearing North Carolina license plate VAN-2265. Surveillance footage later captured him near Lindsay Bridge Road in Madison, intensifying the search.
Law enforcement agencies wasted no time in launching a manhunt. A statewide "be on the lookout" (BOLO) alert was issued not only in North Carolina, but also across the border in Virginia. The search has drawn in a host of agencies, including the Stokes County Sheriff’s Office, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, King Police Department, Eden Police Department, the FBI, SBI, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, and EMS. Despite the gravity of the situation, officials decided not to place local schools in Rockingham and Stokes counties on lockdown, though school districts were promptly notified.
As of this writing, the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and Sharp is considered armed and dangerous. Law enforcement has urged the public not to approach the suspect or his vehicle, but to call 911 immediately if either are spotted. The manhunt continues, with authorities working around the clock to bring the suspect into custody and ensure the safety of the community.
While North Carolina was dealing with the immediate fallout of these violent incidents, across the border in Knoxville, Tennessee, law enforcement and emergency personnel were engaged in a very different kind of operation: preparation. On the morning of January 13, first responders participated in a full-scale active shooter training exercise at the Rocky Top Dining Hall on the University of Tennessee campus. This drill, involving the UT Police, UT Office of Emergency Management, Knoxville Police, and Knoxville Fire Department, was designed to sharpen response skills, enhance inter-agency coordination, and prepare for the unthinkable.
Volunteers played the roles of students, staff, and gunshot victims, adding a crucial element of realism to the scenario. UT Police Chief Sean Patterson explained the importance of these exercises, stating, "It sharpens that response, it prevents sensory overload, it lets them refer back to their training. The more you train, the better you’re going to fight in real life." The presence of roleplayers and real building occupants created a complex environment that tested the responders' ability to clear rooms, lead bystanders to safety, and manage chaos.
Brian Gard, UT Director of Emergency Management, emphasized the value of involving volunteers: "A lot of times, this training will happen with just the responders, and they’ll work on their tactical procedures. In this case, we’re adding complexity by having people in the building who are both roleplayers and then people who are just in the building using the building." The exercise culminated with Knoxville Fire Department medics tending to the "victims" once the simulated shooter was neutralized and the area secured.
Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks highlighted the logistical challenges that come with real-world emergencies: "Making sure that the traffic is clear so we can get ambulances in and out, that’s one of our key priorities. The other part of that is making sure that we’re able to get to where the patients are once the scene is safe enough for us to get in, and move them out to a location where we can get them out to a hospital."
Beyond tactical training, UT Police Chief Patterson stressed the importance of community awareness: "Most importantly, if they see something, say something. And in the event of an active threat, an active assailant, they need to run, hide and fight." Both the UT Police and Knoxville Police conduct active threat training annually, a practice that has become increasingly vital as the threat of mass shootings looms over schools, workplaces, and public spaces nationwide.
These three events—two real, one simulated—paint a picture of a region on edge but determined to respond with professionalism and resolve. The shootings in North Carolina serve as grim reminders of the unpredictable violence that can erupt in everyday settings, while the training in Knoxville offers a glimmer of hope that preparedness and collaboration can save lives when seconds count. As the investigations and manhunt continue, communities across the region are left to reflect on the importance of vigilance, communication, and the tireless work of first responders. With each incident and each drill, lessons are learned, and the collective will to prevent and respond to tragedy grows stronger.
