Created: 11/30/2009 6:04:58 PM 
Surry County, NC-- Sunday afternoon, the Surry County Sheriffs Office was called to a home on Shoals Road in Pilot Mountain about an armed assault. Deputies and Pilot Mountain Police Officers both responded to the scene.
When they arrived the victim told them that when she entered her bedroom after returning home from church, her estranged husband jumped out of the bedroom closet, wielding a 10 inch butcher knife. She said he, Donald Dewayne Johnson, 52, pushed her toward the bed and told her that he intended to kill her and then kill himself. According to her Johnson then put the knife to the victim's stomach and continued to make various threats. Johnson became distracted and the victm was able to grab a handgun from a near by location. She told deputies this allowed her the chance to back the suspect out of the bedroom and she fled through the kitchen door.
When officers arrived at the home Johnson was still inside. Officers made contact with him and tried to get him to surrender when Johnson is accused setting the house on fire while he was still inside. Deputies say Johnson still refused to come out.
Surry County Sheriffs Deputies attempted to make entry but were forced to back out due to heavy smoke and limited visibility. Investigators reentered the home with the assistance of the Pilot Knob Volunteer Fire Department and found the suspect inside the home.
Johnson was treated at the scene by Surry County Emergency Medical Services and transported to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
Charges are pending against Johnson upon his release from the Hospital.
The victim was not injured.
Surry Co. Sheriff's Ofc
