Attacker dies from knife wound

TRINITY — A man violating a Domestic Violence Protective Order died from a knife wound to the chest during a scuffle, according to a report from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident occurred on Dec. 13. RCSO deputies responded to a call at 5:25 p.m. on Thayer Road in Trinity in reference to an assault in progress.

When the call came in, deputies were completing an investigation of another assault on Stanton Road in which the victim said she had gotten into an argument with her boyfriend. The Thayer Road call involved the same male subject and a different victim.

On arrival, deputies found the suspect suffering from a single stab wound to the chest. Despite emergency personnel efforts, the suspect died at the scene. He was identified as Joshua Lee Hicks. 

Reportedly, Hicks forcibly entered the residence and assaulted the victim. Hicks had an active Domestic Violence Protective Order against him and was not supposed to be on the Thayer Road  property. 

Also in the residence at the time was a juvenile who called 911 and was holding a knife in defense. Hicks attacked the juvenile and was impaled on the knife, which resulted in his injury and eventual death. 

At the conclusion of the investigation, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division consulted with the Randolph County District Attorney’s Office. The incident has been determined to be an act of self-defense; no charges will be filed. 

Due to the domestic nature of the incident, the victims have been referred to the Randolph County Family Crisis Center for trauma care and follow-up.