Two Delco residents charged after allegedly firing shotgun at deputies

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Two Delco residents are facing multiple felony charges after authorities say they fired a shotgun at deputies who were attempting to serve an outstanding warrant, according to magistrate’s orders.

The charges stem from an incident Tuesday night at a residence on Kellys Plantation in Delco. According to warrants, deputies went to the home to take Dale Douglas Malpass, 54, into custody. While inside the residence, Malpass allegedly fired a 12-gauge shotgun toward five deputies.

Magistrate’s orders state Malpass is charged with five counts of assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm, discharging a weapon into an occupied property, possession of a firearm by a felon, and resisting a public officer. The order states the shots were fired from inside the home while deputies were attempting to arrest him on an existing warrant.

Warrants also state Malpass is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a previous felony conviction in Columbus County.

A second suspect, Sallie Ann Hewett, 38, is also accused of firing a shotgun at deputies during the incident, according to a separate magistrate’s order. Hewett faces five counts of assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm, discharging a weapon into an occupied property, and resisting a public officer.

Both suspects are currently being held without bond.

WWAY has reached out to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office for more details.