Information Concerning S. Wilmington Street Incident

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Jim Sughrue | 919.996.1200 | jim.sughrue@raleighnc.gov

At an unknown time this afternoon, a teenage male expressed interest in buying a car at an auto sales business on U.S. 70 in Garner. At some point during the encounter, the male took the vehicle from the dealership and fled on U.S. 70 West.

A representative of the dealership followed the suspect into Raleigh and observed him turn into a parking lot near an auto parts store on S. Wilmington Street, where the car driven by the suspect struck other vehicles. The suspect then began to flee on foot.

The dealership representative followed the suspect for a short period of time, but discontinued when he determined that the suspect, who was armed with a handgun, might present a danger.

Coincidentally, a N.C. probation officer who was on duty in the area observed some of the interaction between the suspect and the individual from the dealership, and the probation officer began to follow the suspect in his vehicle in an attempt to ascertain the nature of the situation and provide aid, if needed. Shortly afterwards, the officer noticed the fleeing suspect, who had dropped one handgun, make a furtive movement, reaching inside his jacket.

Believing that the suspect was armed with a second handgun, the probation officer moved to lower himself within his vehicle to use its structure as a shield. At that point, the officer's weapon discharged accidentally, firing one round.

No one was stuck by the accidental discharge.

Raleigh Police Department officers responded to the incident shortly after 4:30 p.m. today and began a follow-up investigation.

The suspect was later located at a nearby residence, where he surrendered without further incident. Charges remain pending at this time.

The N.C. Department of Public Safety has advised it will follow its normal protocol and conduct of review of the accidental discharge of a weapon by its officer.