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WINDSOR – A local man is under arrest for possessing a weapon of mass destruction as well as other charges.

Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin reports that 23-year-old Markie Ahson Smith of Windsor was taken into custody yesterday (Thursday) after he failed to elude arrest during a vehicle chase.

Smith was charged with three felonies: flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, possession of a weapon of mass destruction, and discharge a weapon within an enclosure. He was also charged with three misdemeanors: driving while license revoked, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, and failure to heed blue lights/siren.

Smith was taken to the Bertie Martin Regional Jail under a $25,000 secured bond.

Sheriff Ruffin stated that Smith has a previous arrest (2022) for going armed to the terror of the public.

Ruffin said that his deputies were dispatched on Thursday to the 200 block of Morning Road near Windsor in reference to reports of shots fired in the area. Further information given to the responding deputies indicated one of the male subjects that had been having a verbal altercation with another male had left the scene. Deputies located the other person involved in the verbal dispute and he refused to cooperate.

“As the suspect left the scene, shots were fired from the suspect who was operating a Black in color Honda Accord,” Ruffin said.

The Sheriff added that deputies responding to the area encountered the suspect vehicle headed north on Woodard Road. Sgt. Doizer, Sgt. Manning, and Deputy Pruett were able to chase the suspect vehicle, coming to a stop near a wooded area off Downey Lane.

Smith was taken into custody without further incident.

After a search of Smith’s vehicle deputies located and secured a loaded handgun with a switch device affixed to the firearm, as well as multiple loaded magazines.

“This case is a perfect example of law enforcement and the community working together to make our county safer,” Ruffin stated. “The information received from the caller gave clear details on what was going on and within 10 minutes of the initial call, deputies had the suspect in custody.

“Also, deputies were able to take another dangerous weapon off of the streets. This incident could have turned out a lot worse than what it did, but because of quick thinking of the citizens that called and law enforcement, the ending turned out good,” Ruffin added.