PINEVILLE, N.C. – In Pineville, North Carolina, a police officer sustained injuries in a fatal shooting incident involving at least one suspect on Tuesday. Authorities reported that the shooting occurred at an apartment complex on Johnston Road after responding to a 911 call about a shoplifting incident at a nearby Food Lion store.
The Pineville Police Department stated that an off-duty police sergeant in uniform encountered the suspect at the store and faced resistance, leading to a physical altercation. The situation escalated into a foot chase to the apartment complex, where witnesses heard multiple gunshots.
During a second altercation at the apartment complex, the sergeant fired his weapon, resulting in the death of the suspect. Although the police sergeant was injured during the incident, the injuries were not gunshot-related.
Former Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer and attorney Walter Bowers highlighted the importance of law enforcement officers’ duties during secondary employment, emphasizing that policing responsibilities take precedence over store policies. Captain Corey Copley urged the community to keep everyone involved in their thoughts and prayers during a press conference at the Food Lion.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department will lead the homicide investigation, as they were not initially called to the scene. The incident highlights the risks and challenges faced by law enforcement officers in carrying out their duties both on and off-duty.
Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, seeking to determine the events that led to the fatal outcome. As the community grapples with the aftermath of the incident, authorities are working to ensure transparency and accountability in their investigation.