MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. —
The man accused of hitting two Mount Holly Police Department officers with his own car days ago had his first appearance in court on Tuesday, where a judge ordered he remain in jail under a $1 million bond.
29-year-old Omar De'Vone Jordan appeared before a judge in the afternoon, where civil rights activist John Barnett, who spoke on behalf of Jordan's mother, requested a reasonable bond.
"We give an apology on behalf of the mother’s family, in reference to any injuries that may have happened to the officer. We do believe that drugs and him being homeless plays a major factor," Barnett said. "If a reasonable bond can be set, we can assure that he'll be in court."
Barnett added that Jordan's girlfriend is pregnant with his child, and she's "expecting any moment."
However, Judge Angela Hoyle declined to lower Jordan's bond, citing his criminal record.
Officers were called to an apartment complex around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11 for a report of a suspicious car.
Gaston County Assistant District Attorney David Franceschelli said when officers arrived and talked with Jordan, they called for an ambulance.
"He appeared to be under the influence of illegal drugs," Franceschelli said. "The defendant, instead of turning off the vehicle, put the vehicle in reverse. The door being open, and one of the officers being between the door and the defendant, who was driving the vehicle, was struck."
Investigators said Jordan struck another officer while reversing before detectives said he shifted gears and began driving in the direction of other officers.
"The police felt threatened at the time and started firing at the defendant," Franceschelli said. "I think he was shot once."
Jordan was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He was released on Monday and taken into custody.
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Both officers hit by Jordan’s car were treated at a hospital and released with non-life-threatening injuries, and the officers involved in the case are on administrative duty, which is standard. Per protocol, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent review of the situation, as is the Gaston County District Attorney’s Office.
Barnett told WCNC Charlotte Jordan's family did not wish to speak on camera at this time.
Contact Brandon Golder at bgoldner@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.