x
Breaking News
More () »

Police identify shoplifting suspect who was shot, killed by off-duty officer at Charlotte apartments

The Pineville Police Department says the suspect and police officer were in a "physical altercation" before shots were fired.

PINEVILLE, N.C. — A shoplifting suspect was shot and killed by an off-duty Pineville police officer who was working security on Tuesday afternoon, investigators said. 

Pineville Police were called to a Food Lion on Johnston Road around 3 p.m. for shoplifting. An off-duty officer who was in full uniform in a marked police cruiser at a nearby shopping center near the Food Lion saw the suspect in the parking lot, police said. 

The suspect, 46-year-old Dennis Bodden of Charlotte, was known by police for chronic shoplifting and had shown violent tendencies toward police, investigators allege. Bodden also had two outstanding felony warrants for larceny and breaking and entering related to the Food Lion where the alleged shoplifting happened. 

RELATED: Here's what we know about the suspect killed in Pineville

Boden allegedly ignored multiple commands to stop and ran across Johnston Road to the Berkshire Place apartment complex. The sergeant followed Bodden and called for backup. Bodden then started fighting the officer, who deployed his stun gun, according to police. The stun gun wasn't effective, and Bodden continued to run away when backup officers arrived on the scene. 

One of the responding officers attempted to use a stun gun on Bodden when he continued to resist arrest on the apartment property. However, officers say it was ineffective and allege Bodden lunged at the sergeant and tried to grab his gun. That's when the sergeant shot Bodden, killing him. Both officers were taken to the hospital for treatment, but neither were shot during the incident.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating the shooting since the apartment complex is within Charlotte city limits. The officer, who hasn't been identified at this time, is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Pineville police will conduct an internal investigation to ensure department policies were followed.

Credit: Provided to WCNC Charlotte
Police investigating a shooting along Johnston Road between Pineville and Charlotte.

Both agencies held a brief news conference at 6 p.m. Tuesday but didn't take any questions, saying it's too early in the investigation to give many answers. 

Images posted online showed officers, including those from CMPD, investigating along the roadway near the Berkshire Place apartments.  Additional images showed investigators in the Johnston Road Plaza shopping center parking lot outside the Food Lion grocery store.

Download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app for the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts. 

WCNC Charlotte crews noticed groceries, including apples, on the road outside of the apartment complex. 

You can stream WCNC Charlotte on Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV, just download the free app.

Listen to free podcasts from WCNC Charlotte

Flashpoint is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. Listen to the podcast weekly.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora  || Google Podcasts || iHeart 

Locked On is the leading podcast network for local sports and is owned by WCNC Charlotte's parent company TEGNA.
Listen to Locked On here.  

WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at WCNC Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart 

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.

Before You Leave, Check This Out