ROCKINGHAM — A man accused of shooting at two Ellerbe firemen last year is once again out on bail.
Records show the bond for Timothy Lee Hayden was set at $1 million on Thursday, Aug. 13 and he was released from the Richmond County Jail at 7:03 p.m.
Hayden is accused of firing multiple rounds from an AR-15-style rifle at Jeremy Scott and Jerry Shepard who were reportedly responding to a fire alarm at his Green Lake Road home just before 3:30 a.m. on Sept. 1, 2025. Shepard was shot in the leg, documents show.
He was initially charged with two counts of assault on emergency personnel with a firearm, and one count each of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and resisting a public officer.
Both Scott and Shepard were awarded for their bravery during a community prayer and recognition event in Ellerbe Sept. 6, 2025.
Hayden was granted bond following a Sept. 9, 2025 hearing and several properties were listed for accommodation.
On Sept. 15, records show, Hayden was indicted on the two counts of assault on emergency personnel with a firearm and the charge of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. He was also indicted on two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
Hayden’s bond was revoked in March after prosecutors alleged that he missed two breath tests to check his blood alcohol level.
Attorneys for Hayden filed a motion to modify his bond on July 1.
In that motion, attorneys say Hayden missed the scheduled tests because he was attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and had notified the provider in advance.
After missing the Jan. 14 test, Hayden’s attorneys say he submitted to testing after lunch and the result was negative. Regarding the Feb. 7 test, attorneys say Hayden requested a 30-minute extension.
In the motion, the attorneys also state that Hayden “has no history of violence,” has not missed any scheduled court appearances, and that he “is not a danger to the community or himself provided he abstains from alcohol use.”
The latest release order prohibits Hayden from having any contact with the victims in the case. He must also abstain from alcohol use and is not allowed to possess or be in close proximity to any firearms.
His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 7.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
