HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. -- The NC SBI is investigating after Huntersville Police shot and killed an armed man inside Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center late Sunday.
According to Huntersville Police, officers responded to the hospital in reference to an armed man that fired several shots. When police arrived, hospital staff and witnesses directed them to the area where the man, later identified as 76-year-old Joseph Cook, was last seen.
Investigators said Huntersville Police officers Michael Joseph, 32, and 27-year-old Travis Watts located Cook inside the hospital. Police said the officers felt threatened by the Cook's actions and fired several rounds at him. Cook was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not identified the person killed.
Following investigations, the SBI said Cook was traveling from Deland, Fla., to New York to flee Hurricane Irma's path.
The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the SBI’s investigating, police said earlier in the week. Huntersville Police said no one else was injured during the incident.