Racing was interrupted on Saturday night at one of North Carolina’s most popular dirt short tracks after shots erupted in between races. Following an altercation at Elkin, NC’s Friendship Motor Speedway two people were taken to the hospital, and one person was arrested.
According to officials, just after 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night two off duty deputies with the Surry County Sheriff’s Office were working security at the famed dirt short track when they were notified about a shooting incident. The deputies then noticed victims Marty Allan Benge and Devan Ray Gaddy suffering from non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Following this incident, racing ceased and suspect Yosef Amiel Handy, of Jonesville, NC was apprehended and is being held on a secured bond of $350,000.
According to track promoter Randy Myers this was an isolated incident, and he and others at this track are doing everything that they can to assure the future safety of both racing participants and fans. “First and foremost, we want to apologize to everyone for this shocking incident and to also thank everyone who came to the aid of stopping the shooting and helping those who were injured,” said Myers. “I know that things happen at racetracks and that people can often let their tempers get the best of them, but to pull out a gun in a crowd full of race fans is ignorant and unnecessary. I have been a part of the racing scene my whole life and have never seen something like this and we are going to do whatever we can to assure that this does not happen again.”
The investigation towards this incident is ongoing and if anyone has additional information you are encouraged to call the Surry County Sheriff’s Office and speak with Detective Mark Ward.
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