NEWTON, N.C. — Editor's Note: This story discusses domestic violence, which may include descriptions of violent acts. Reader discretion is advised.
A woman was shot by a man multiple times after filing a restraining order against him at the Catawba County Magistrate's Office, deputies told WCNC Charlotte on scene Tuesday morning. That man was later shot and killed by Newton Police after he allegedly fired at first responders treating the woman, Newton Police said.
Police have identified the man as 33-year-old Jamar Robinson.
Around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, officers with the Newton Police Department received a report that a woman had been shot. The woman told authorities Robinson drove up to the Catawba County Government Center and shot her multiple times as she was walking out of the building.
She then left the scene, and police found her in the parking lot of a Planet Fitness gym on Northwest Boulevard. While first responders were at the scene treating her, police said Robinson allegedly drove into that parking lot and began shooting.
At that time, police said officers shot back. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave until the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations releases any findings, which is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings.
Newton Police said Robinson dropped his gun and fell. Both the woman and Robinson had been shot several times. Robinson had gotten out of his car and left it running at the Planet Fitness parking lot. The car hit an ambulance, police said, but nobody was hurt from that crash.
Robinson and the woman were taken to Catawba Valley Medical Center, then flown to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center for further treatment. The woman, who has not been identified at this time, is in serious but stable condition. Robinson died at the hospital from his injuries.
“This morning we had several first responders to include police, fire and EMS caught in the middle of this tragic situation while trying to save a life," Chief Vidal Sipe said, in part, in a statement. "It is unfortunate that officers had to take a life in order to save several lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with our officers, the victim and others affected by this senseless act of violence."
Several state and local agencies are assisting in the investigation. Anyone with information about this case can contact the Newton Police Department at 828-465-7430.
Police confirmed the two knew one another. While the nature of their relationship to one another has not been made public, police did say that domestic violence "continues to be a serious matter and needs to be addressed immediately."
Following the news, organizations that help victims through domestic violence situations spoke out. Abbigail Selig with the Women's Resource Center in Hickory, North Carolina, sat down the WCNC Charlotte's Austin Walker to discuss the rising number of domestic violence survivors she has to share resources with.
"That’s a thing that shouldn’t have to happen," Selig said.
Working at the center, she's seeing more cases of domestic violence. The reasoning behind the increase is multi-faceted and complicated.
"It’s hard when a person is in that situation," Selig shared. "We are talking about it more. There are more resources out there for woman.”
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women and one in four men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.
"It hurts to hear someone is going through this," Selig said. "Have a safety plan, have an emergency bag, keeping your GPS off, and reaching out in a safe manner where the area is confidential.”
She said others can also be a support system.
"Listening and taking them seriously, helping them with that safety plan, helping them reach out to people," Selig said.
If you or a loved one is facing domestic violence, help is readily available. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Resources for help are available in both North Carolina and South Carolina.
Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.