Blood-covered man walking road had a shotgun hidden in guitar case, NC cops say

A blood-covered man found hiding a shotgun in a guitar case has been linked to a brutal stabbing that occurred minutes earlier, according to investigators in western North Carolina.

The attack happened around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Carriage House Apartments in Spindale, and the victim suffered life-threatening injuries, Spindale police said in a news release.

A 911 caller identified the attacker as Johannes Debets of Forest City, police said.

“While responding, Spindale Police Department located Debets walking on the shoulder of College Ave on the westbound lanes, headed towards Forest City,” police said.

“Debets was found covered in blood, to be in possession of the knife that was used in the assault, and also in possession of a loaded 12-gauge shotgun that was concealed inside a guitar case.”

A motive in the stabbing has not been released, and investigators have not said what Debets intended to do with the shotgun.

The stabbing victim suffered “multiple stab wounds to the neck, chest, and abdomen,” police said. He is in stable condition at a hospital, officials said.

“Witness statements indicate that Debets was the aggressor and that there were two separate altercations that resulted in stab wounds to the victim,” police said.

Debets has been charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a felon, police said. Bond was set at $750,000, according to court records.

Spindale is about a 70-mile drive west from uptown Charlotte.

This story was originally published January 9, 2026 at 5:50 AM with the headline "Blood-covered man walking road had a shotgun hidden in guitar case, NC cops say."