Gunshot, search for explosives startle Forest City community

FOREST CITY, N.C. (WLOS) — The Forest City Police Department, along with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, responded to Old Wagy Road on Saturday in reference to a person attempting suicide.

Forest City Police Lt. Brandon Rothrock said the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office was first on the scene, and, when officers were speaking with the suspect, a shot rang out.

They called for backup, and the police department and the sheriff’s office arrested Phillip Bradley Hollar, who was at the home.

“Luckily, we had good officers, who were able to talk him down without anybody getting hurt,” Rothrock said.

Kisha McDowell, who lives just a few houses down, said it’s a close-knit community and everyone, aside from those in the Hollar home, has lived on the block for many years. She said Hollar is the newest addition to their street.

McDowell said, when she heard the gunshot Saturday, she couldn’t believe it.

“When that one hit, I said, 'That was a shot,' and I didn’t want to panic my daughter. I said, 'Y’all just get down,' without saying that sounded really close,” she said.

MAN ACCUSED OF SETTING UP MULTIPLE IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES IN BACKYARD

McDowell said she didn’t know what was happening at the Hollar house except that more and more vehicles were arriving as the night went on.

She said it began with the local sheriff’s office and police department, but bigger vehicles came and there was constant movement for hours.

That movement was because of what Hollar told authorities after he was taken into custody.

“Once they got him, he mentioned that there were some improvised explosive devices on his property,” Rothrock said.

After Hollar’s confession, police obtained a warrant, and, with the help of the NCSBI Explosive Ordinance Unit and ATF, officers searched the property.

After several hours, officers found the explosives, Rothrock said.

McDowell said it seems crazy that all this happened on their street, especially with all the children that are around.

“This is a family neighborhood, a community," McDowell said. "We don’t have that, you know."

Hollar was charged with one count of possession of a weapon of mass destruction.

Rothrock said the investigation is ongoing and authorities are still trying to find a motive for why Hollar planted the devices.