A routine search for a wanted individual culminated in a tragic incident last night when Clayton police officers encountered 41-year-old Justin Patrick Andrews, leading him to fatally shoot himself, authorities reported. Andrews, the man in question, was wanted on several felony warrants connected to domestic violence allegations, as detailed by CBS17. The confrontation occurred around 5:30 p.m. near the intersection of Covered Bridge Road and Loop Road.
Earlier in the day, Clayton officials had successfully located Andrews's vehicle in the parking lot of the Clayton River Walk, which led law enforcement to intensify their search in the immediate vicinity. As police were to finally apprehend Andrews near the intersection, the situation took a turn for the worse. Andrews produced a firearm and, despite officers' efforts to peacefully resolve the confrontation, turned the weapon on himself. "Andrews died by suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot," according to a report by WRAL.
The aftermath of the event necessitated a temporary road closure, causing significant detours and traffic adjustments for local commuters. On their official social media, the Clayton Police Department advised the public that Covered Bridge Road near Loop Road would be "shutdown" and that traffic was to be detoured through the Riverwood area. The closure was projected to last several hours, with the department advising drivers to "please detour around this area if possible," as noted in a post sourced from the Clayton Police X account.
Covered Bridge Road near Loop Road is currently shutdown. Traffic in the area is being detoured to Loop Road through the Riverwood area. The closure is expected to last several hours. Please detour around this area if possible.
— Clayton Police, NC (@ClaytonPoliceNC) October 28, 2024
The Clayton Police Department stated that the investigation into the incident is ongoing. Court records acquired by CBS17 indicate that Andrews had a history of charges including assault on a child under 12, first-degree forcible rape, and felony stalking, for which he had been indicted in Johnston County Court the Monday prior.
