CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say an officer had to take aim after a suspect opened fire on them Thursday.
The shooting happened around noon on the 4300 block of Old Interstate Road, which is near where Graham Street crosses over Interstate 85, according to CMPD.
In a tweet, CMPD said one person was taken to a hospital to undergo surgery. No officers were injured during the shooting.
WCNC Charlotte reporter Kendall Morris reported from the scene as police chief Johnny Jennings provided more details. According to Jennings, the subject in the shooting was being investigated for a previous robbery and shooting at the Royal Inn a few days ago. Jennings said officers performed CPR on the subject, who is now stable but taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
A news release from CMPD sent just before 2 p.m. revealed officers tried to make contact with the suspect, but he fled on foot from the scene. Officers report the suspect fired at them, and one officer took aim, hitting the suspect. Police also report the suspect's firearm was recovered from the scene.
“We do have some indication that people were at the hotel," Jennings said. "We also have indication of some surveillance footage that we do want to take a look at and see how much, if any, of this was captured on video.”
On Friday, CMPD named the suspect as 33-year-old Shelton Smith. He remains in the hospital in stable but critical condition. Upon his release, CMPD says he will face two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault on law enforcement with a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a felon in the shooting. Detectives also announced they had probable cause to charge Smith with the armed robbery that unfolded at the Royal Inn on May 25. Warrants for robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm by a felon for that case have all been obtained against him, and will also be served upon his release from the hospital. He is also facing an outstanding warrant for communicating threats in an unrelated case.
The police department identified the officer who fired at Smith as Ofc. Trey Hinton, who has been on the force since September 2018. As is protocol, CMPD's Internal Affairs Bureau will conduct a separate but parallel investigation to determine if department policies or procedures were adhered to. Hinton is on paid administrative leave, which is standard policy any time an officer fires a service weapon.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is the primary investigating agency. However, the local investigation is still active as well. Anyone with information is asked to call 704-432-TIPS, or leave Crime Stoppers tips anonymously at 704-334-1600 or online.
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