Shootout erupts when homeowner shields battered pregnant woman from gunman, NC cops say

A family’s willingness to protect a pregnant stranger escalated into a gunfight when her pursuer began shooting at their home, according to investigators in western North Carolina.

Rather than cower, one of the homeowners started shooting back, the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office said in a March 27 Facebook post.

It happened Thursday, March 13, in Marion and a suspect, identified as Justin Trent Arrowood, was arrested the same day, officials said. Marion is about a 95-mile drive northwest from Charlotte.

“Upon arrival to the scene, deputies spoke with the owners who stated Arrowood had shot into their home from a vehicle after a female subject had asked to be let inside,” officials said.

“The female, not acquainted with the owners, stated that Arrowood had physically assaulted her as they were driving down the road and that she had managed to escape from his SUV to run to the nearby residence. Upon doing so, the suspect shot toward the house and the owner returned fire.”

Investigators did not say whether the exchanged shots hit anything.

The pregnant woman was taken by ambulance to Mission Hospital McDowell for treatment of “injuries sustained by the altercation with Arrowood,” officials said. Details of her injuries were not released.

Deputies located 35-year-old Arrowood at his home in Marion and charged him with:

• Felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury on an unborn child

• Felony restraint

• Felony manufacturing a Schedule I controlled substance

• Felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance

• Felony maintaining a vehicle/dwelling or place for a controlled substance

• Misdemeanor assault on a female

This story was originally published March 28, 2025 at 7:25 AM with the headline "Shootout erupts when homeowner shields battered pregnant woman from gunman, NC cops say."