CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is investigating a deadly officer-involved-shooting, after deputies with the Catawba County Sheriff’s office say a suspect was shot dead, Thursday.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, their assistance was requested by the US Marshall Service, to assist in serving several outstanding warrants on a person in Maiden, who was wanted for robbery with a dangerous weapon.
The Sheriff’s office said the suspect was accused of robbing a Subway in Newton, N.C. a little over a week ago.
Deputies said when they arrived at the home, located on Saddleview Ct, just off of Rocking Horse Drive in Maiden around 11 a.m., Thursday, they found nearly a half dozen people inside, none of them related.
“They came out and spoke with officers and during that time officers learned that the person wanted on the warrants was hiding in a crawl space of the residence and he was armed with a handgun,” said Captain Aaron Turk, with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.
Neighbors said at first, they could hear officers on the bull horn.
“They were on the bullhorn multiple times requesting for them to come out. After they got the first group out of there they were back on the bullhorn again at least 3, 4, 5 more times again requesting them to come on out,” says Darrell Laws, who lives nearby.
Deputies said they attempted to deescalate the situation for nearly an hour, but say at different points the suspect was armed with a handgun, knife and then a rifle.
Around noon, neighbors said they then began hearing flashbangs, then gunshots.
“During that encounter, the suspect threatened the officer's presence with the rifle and was shot by law enforcement,” says Captain Turk. The Sheriff’s Office said it was a US Marshall who fired his weapon.
“No Catawba County deputies discharged their firearms during any part of this incident. The incident is being investigated by the SBI and the Sheriff’s office is conducting an internal affairs investigation as well,” said Captain Turk.
The Sheriff’s office said they will not be releasing the suspect's name until his family has been notified of his passing. They said the suspect did not live at the home, where he was being served a warrant. Neighbors said they’re not surprised.
“We’ve had problems with this house for a while down there. There’s all kinds of traffic that come in and out at all hours of the night,” said Laws.