A fatal officer-involved shooting occurred in Gastonia late yesterday night when police responded to an assault call. According to QC News, officers arrived at a residence on Hickory Hollow Road near Tree Haven Court after receiving a report of an assault taking place at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Upon their arrival, a male relative of the suspect informed the responding officers that Jeremy Jackson Bonham, 39, was inside the home, armed, and had discharged at least one round, WCNC reported. It is understood that, Bonham then emerged from the rear of the dwelling and initiated gunfire at police with a rifle. Gastonia police engaged, resulting in Bonham's death
The incident prompted a significant police and investigative response. According to WBTV, ten of the Gastonia Police Department officers present at the scene have been placed on administrative leave following the shooting which is a regular procedure in such incidents. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case for an independent review.
In the wake of the shooting, no officers were reported to have sustained injuries. Details on what precipitated the assault call, or what subsequent events led Bonham to engage the officers remain sparse, but the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation will seek to unravel the sequence of events that culminated in this deadly exchange. For further information regarding the case, according to officials, police are directing all inquiries to the SBI.
