Heartbreaking Tragedy: Wilkes County Firefighter 'Accidentally' Shoots Girlfriend Before Tragic Turn
WILKES COUNTY, N.C. — A somber cloud has enveloped the Wilkes County firefighting community as it mourns the tragic loss of two of its own. The incident, shrouded in sorrow, involves a deeply unfortunate turn of events that ended the lives of Jenna Boles and Daniel Long, both prominent members of their respective fire departments.
Wilkes County deputies have reported that Long, a firefighter, shot Boles, who was also a firefighter, before tragically taking his own life. The profound loss has cast a shadow over the community, leaving those who knew them grappling with grief and bewilderment.
Chief Jason Smithey of the Wilkesboro Fire Department reflected on the painful toll this incident has taken on the firefighting family. "I've got two daughters myself and but I feel like I've, we've got 42 people on the roster. I feel like I've got 44 kids and you know that when you lose one it's hard," Smithey shared, capturing the collective heartache.
The incident unfolded on Caudill Road, where Long was discovered attempting to administer CPR to Boles, who had been shot. Long repeatedly conveyed that the shooting had been accidental. Tragically, he proceeded to end his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot shortly thereafter.
Smithey revealed that Boles and Long were in a relationship, making this tragedy even more heartrending. "It's nice to see people grow up and do and you know come together as one and move through their life and that's what I hate to see with this, it's just you're not gonna get to see that," he expressed, grappling with the loss of potential.
At 21 years old, Long had dedicated nearly three years to his role as a firefighter with the Wilkesboro Fire Department. Colleague Daniel Holt mourned the absence of a crucial figure who could uplift spirits even on the darkest days. "In this line of work, there are a lot of bad days... you need that person that can lighten the mood and I think for a while it's gonna be hard to lighten the mood without him here," Holt reflected.
Nineteen-year-old Boles, a firefighter and EMT with the Ronda Fire Department, was following a familial legacy. Walking in the footsteps of her grandfather and father, she had embarked on a journey in the same field. Smithey noted her dedication to both firefighting and healthcare, pursuing education in the latter.
As the firefighting fraternity grapples with this immense loss, they also remember the resilience and camaraderie that united them. The memories shared, the bonds forged, and the community's support offer solace during this dark time.