On December 14, 2023, 38-year-old Isiah Buckley from Nashville, Tennessee, was fatally shot in Swain County, North Carolina. The incident occurred in the 1300 block of Greasy Branch Road, where authorities discovered Buckley deceased in a vehicle alongside a woman who had also sustained gunshot wounds. The woman, reportedly an Uber driver from Virginia, had been compensated $1,000 to transport Buckley to the area. She underwent surgery for her injuries and was expected to recover.
Investigations led to the arrest of two Bryson City residents. On December 16, 2023, 29-year-old Kyle Everett Huskey was charged with murder, attempted first-degree murder, armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a felon, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine by possession and transportation, trafficking fentanyl, and trafficking methamphetamine. Additionally, 24-year-old Chasity Marie Taylor faced charges of trafficking fentanyl and trafficking methamphetamine. Both individuals have extensive criminal histories, including prior arrests related to drugs, larceny, robbery, and firearms offenses.
According to arrest warrants, Huskey allegedly robbed Buckley of $68,000 worth of unspecified controlled substances at gunpoint before fatally shooting him and attempting to kill the female driver. Law enforcement found drugs in the victims' vehicle, and both Huskey and Taylor were found in possession of significant quantities of opium and methamphetamine at the time of their arrest. The crime scene was described as a secluded area on Greasy Branch Road, with no immediate residences nearby.
The surviving victim managed to call 911 despite poor cell reception, informing the dispatcher of the shooting and expressing fear for her safety. She was unable to identify the shooter by name during the call. Emergency responders arrived after a 14-minute call, during which the dispatcher provided reassurance until help reached the scene. Both Huskey and Taylor were scheduled for a court appearance on January 2, 2024.
