By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SPENCER ó A Spencer man with a knife was shot to death early Friday morning when he lunged at a Spencer Police officer.
Christopher Dupree Kluttz, 42, a former Spencer police officer, was shot to death by Spencer reserve officer Gene Houpe just after 4 a.m.
Houpe was called to the Kluttz home at 205 S. Carolina Ave. around 2 a.m.
According to Spencer Police Chief Robert Bennett, Kluttz had called the suicide hotline earlier and Rowan 911 Communications requested an officer check on Kluttz.
“He was intoxicated. When Houpe left, he was on the couch drinking a beer,” Bennett said.
When Houpe left, Kluttz indicated he was going to bed. The officer, on routine patrol, returned to check on Kluttz once more.
Bennett said Kluttz was shouting on the porch or on the front lawn.
When Houpe and Kluttz went inside to talk, Kluttz went to the kitchen.
“Houpe could hear sounds like he was messing in the silverware drawer,” Bennett said.
Kluttz grabbed a kitchen knife and advanced on the officer with what Bennett estimated was an eight- to 10-inch long blade.
Houpe shot and killed Kluttz.
“Houpe is not sure how many times he fired. We think he was shot in the chest, but are not sure,” Bennett said.
He said the SBI is conducting an investigation and sent the bullet casings and other evidence to the state’s crime lab.
Houpe, who has been a reserve officer with Spencer Police for five years, is on administrative paid leave.
Bennett said Houpe will do mostly paperwork. He will also have a pyschological debriefing.
The Spencer Police are also conducting an investigation to determine whether deadly force was used and if Houpe followed policy and precedures.
Kluttz worked as a Spencer Police officer in the early 1980s and through the early 1990s.
Bennett said he’s been with the department as chief for six years and did not work with Kluttz.
“His time was brief. I talked with some officers who said he used to work here,” Bennett said.
The chief said law enforcement had been out to the house numerous times.
Rowan 911 Communications records show officers responded to the South Carolina Avenue home 23 times since February 2008.
Rowan 911 Director Rob Robinson confirmed the calls ranged from noise complaints, welfare checks, possible drug activity, stabbing, fire and overdose.
In March 2003, Kluttz was arrested after being charged with shooting into his then 75-year-old neighbor’s home. The dispute was with a boarder who lived with the woman.
“There are many victims in this incident. Not only officer Houpe, his family, the department, but Mr. Kluttz and his family. His family needs to be kept in our prayers. They lost a son,” Bennett said.
Kluttz was a native of Spencer and lived alone.