POLICE: Employee pistol-whips co-worker at chicken plant

KINSTON, N.C. (WITN) - An employee at a chicken plant in Kinston is facing charges after police say he pistol-whipped a co-worker

On February 17, the Kinston Police Department got a report from UNC Lenoir Health Care regarding a victim being treated for serious injuries after an assault that happened at Sanderson Farms.

Police Chief Keith Goyette tells WITN the investigation revealed the victim’s injuries were consistent with being pistol-whipped.

After a follow-up investigation, police identified 32-year-old Tyler Simpson as the suspect.

Chief Goyette confirmed to WITN that both Simpson and the victim worked at the chicken plant.

On Friday, detectives found Simpson at Sanderson Farms, took him into custody, and he was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Detectives also executed a search warrant on Simpson’s vehicle and found a firearm believed to have been used in the assault.

Simpson was additionally charged with a second count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The Greenville man remains in custody at the Lenoir County Jail under no bond.