41-year-old Thomas Jeffery Edmisten of Piney Road in Morganton has been arrested by Burke County Sheriff’s Officers. He was charged with felony possession of firearm by a convicted felon.

Events leading to Edmisten’s arrest began at about 11 p.m. on May 4 when Sheriff’s Officers responded to a disturbance with shots fired at Styles Tavern on N.C. Highway 18/U.S. 64, previously reported by WHKY on May 7. When Officers arrived, the offender had already left the scene.

Between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. the following day (May 5), Chesterfield Fire & Rescue responded to a structure fire at the same location. The Burke County Fire Marshal and the Sheriff’s Office also responded and launched an investigation into the fire. Later that day, a warrant was issued for Edmisten’s arrest.

He was taken into custody on May 8 by U.S. Marshals in Catawba County. Edmisten was initially jailed without bond with a first appearance in District Court scheduled yesterday (May 11). At that time, bond was set at $500,000, secured. A probable cause hearing was scheduled for June 1 in Morganton.