CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man identified as a suspect in an early morning shooting Monday in Charlotte died while receiving medical treatment, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced in an afternoon news conference.
Around 2 a.m., police officers responded to a shooting on Featherstone Drive, which is located in north Charlotte along North Tryon Street near Exit 42 on Interstate 85.
During a 911 call, a resident described what she heard.
“It sounded like somebody was running from somebody then trying to get into my home and then all of a sudden I heard shots," the caller said.
Officers at the scene say they found shell casings then located Jovontay Avery Williams, 32, and identified him as a potential suspect. Officers "noted Williams was behaving in an erratic manner, yelling and did not appear in full control of his faculties," CMPD said in a released statement. "Concerned for his wellbeing, officers requested Medic respond."
Williams was transported by ambulance to Atrium Hospital University before being transferred to Atrium Health's Northeast Medical Center in Concord. He was relocated in order to receive specialized care, officials said. Officers say Williams was experiencing a medical event.
“There’s usually some underlying story that contributed to the demise of the individual whether it be drugs or some pre-existing condition that accelerated and caused it," former law enforcement officer Mark Baughman said.
Shortly before 10 a.m., Williams was pronounced dead, according to CMPD. The nature of his medical condition or cause of death was not disclosed publicly.
"I think it's important that we note that this is considered an in-custody death because at the time that Mr. Williams passed away, he was not free to go," CMPD Lt. Bryan Crum explained." Officers had attempted to detain him while we were investigating the events on Featherstone. So for that reason, the SBI has come in to investigate."
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating Williams' death. The CMPD Internal Affairs division is also conducting a review of the actions of the officers. CMPD continues to investigate the reported shooting.
A firearm and narcotics were located at the crime scene on Featherstone Drive. Investigators found evidence that shots had been fired into an occupied home.
No other injuries, and no other arrests, have been announced.
Contact Briana Harper at bharper@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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