A Salisbury man, identified as 18-year-old Ahmon Jymire Ali Henderson, was shot in the leg by Newton police and subsequently released from the hospital without police notification. The incident occurred near Sandalwood Apartments in Newton, as reported by multiple sources. According to WCNC Charlotte, the situation unfolded on Monday around noon when officers responded to a reported trespassing after a caller, who may have known the suspect, indicated Henderson might have had a gun. However, police have not confirmed if a weapon was indeed found.
In a dramatic turn of events, the suspect was located in a shed behind the apartment complex and ran toward officers, prompting one officer to discharge their firearm, striking him. After being treated at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, Henderson was released without the police's knowledge, a detail noted by WCNC Charlotte, and reiterated by a release from the Newton Police Department covered by the Salisbury Post. Henderson has been charged with two felony counts of second-degree burglary, one felony count of possession of a stolen firearm, and one misdemeanor count of resisting a public officer by the Newton Police Department. He also has pending warrants from Mecklenburg County for more serious charges.
The officer involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave following department protocol. The Newton Police, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Catawba County Sheriff's Office are conducting further investigations into this incident. Local authorities advise that Henderson is considered to be armed and dangerous, and the public should not approach him but rather call 911 immediately if they have any information regarding his whereabouts.
Henderson's charges from Charlotte, which include felony breaking or entering to terrorize or injure, felony larceny, felony assault by strangulation, and several misdemeanor charges are contributing to the urgent nature of the manhunt. As expressed by a release obtained by the WHKY, Henderson is to be "considered to be armed and dangerous.” The public has been asked to immediately call 911 with details and to generally avoid trying to personally apprehend the suspect.
With investigations ongoing, anyone with additional information on the incident is encouraged to reach out to Newton Police Department at 828-464-8500, as well as notify local law enforcement upon sighting Henderson. A spokesperson from the Salisbury Police Department confirmed earlier in the evening that there was no reason to believe Henderson had returned to a known address in the city, assuring the public that there was no immediate threat to their safety following the incident.
