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A 911 call about a subject armed with a machete led to a disorderly conduct arrest on Monday evening.
The Carter County Sheriff’s Department received a call in reference to a subject who was armed with a machete and allegedly threatening to kill the store clerk at the Shell Gas Station located on 4953 Highway 19E.

According to a release from the Sheriff’s Department, Sgt. Justin Johnson requested the assistance of the Elizabethton Police Department and when officers arrived, the store clerk and a customer were outside. Both individuals said a man, later identified as Michael Whitehead, was still inside and had a machete. Several EPD officers and Johnson then went inside, observed Whitehead, and detained him. No machete was found on his person. However, a bag was found in the store and Whitehead claimed it was his. Attached to the bag was a large machete.

When Whitehead was asked what had transpired, he told offers he “owned the convenience store,” and then said something unrecognizable, according to reports. Johnson reported that Whitehead appeared to be impaired.

Whitehead was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct and a search of his person revealed a glass pipe that was consistent with methamphetamine use. Whitehead was then transported to the Carter County Detention Center.

Both the store clerk and a customer were asked if Whitehead directly threatened them and both said he did not but did say he was speaking to himself and making homicidal statements.

Whitehead is scheduled to undergo a mental evaluation.