Two people are behind bars after shots were fired at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies. The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office reports that its deputies assisted Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies with a chase on June 19, 2024.

During the chase, the driver of the vehicle allegedly fired shots at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies. CCSO also reports that the driver fired shots at an occupied school bus traveling down Highway 226 near Shelby.

Deputies used stop sticks to try to stop the vehicle, but the driver continued to flee from authorities. The chase finally ended when the suspect wrecked into an embankment near the intersection of Highway 74 and NC 226.

CCSO says the driver, Jeremy Aaron Huffman, got out of the vehicle and fled into the woods while firing shots at officers. The passenger, Jennifer Lynn Hughes, was taken into custody at the scene of the crash.

The search for the suspect continued for several hours until it was decided to scale down the manpower. Around 7 a.m., authorities received a call that a man matching the suspect’s description was seen at the Holiday Inn on Highway 74.

Deputies and Shelby Police Department officers set up a perimeter in the area. An individual was seen running across Highway 74 toward East Marion Street. Following a short foot pursuit, the suspect was finally apprehended.

CCSO says a 9mm handgun was recovered. Jeremy Aaron Huffman is charged with Five Counts of Attempted 1st Degree Murder, Discharging Firearm into Occupied Vehicle, and more. Jennifer Lynn Hughes is charged with Possession of Firearm by Felon, Felony Obstruction, and more.