An investigation is currently underway following an officer-involved shooting incident at a Newton apartment complex on East 1st Street. According to QC News, Newton Police responded to a 911-hang-up call late on Tuesday night. Upon arrival around 11:39 p.m., they encountered multiple individuals who reportedly were not being compliant. The encounter escalated when a man armed with a gun began to allegedly shoot at the officers.
Retaliatory action by police ensued after efforts to peacefully resolve the situation failed. "Police said while they were trying to get the man to drop the gun, he fired at officers," as reported by WCNC. The officers fired back, striking the man after a brief standoff. The suspect was subsequently air-lifted to an area hospital and is currently in critical condition. Notably, no officers were reported to have been injured during the confrontation.
The individual involved has yet to be identified, and it remains unclear what charges he may face. According to WISTV, paramedics administered lifesaving measures at the scene before transporting the man to Catawba Valley Medical Center, from which he was airlifted to Atrium CMC in Charlotte. The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, a measure that is standard operating procedure while the incident is under review.
This shooting marks the second officer-involved shooting in Newton within a two-month period. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations is currently looking into the incident, following protocols for such events. The previous shooting in May involved a suspect who had allegedly shot a woman multiple times and fired at first responders, as mentioned by WCNC. That suspect was fatally shot by police.
