CORNELIUS, NC – Social media posts are revealing new information about what might have led a 16-year-old to try and kill a Cornelius Police Lieutenant.
WCCB Charlotte has uncovered several social media posts on Greyson Ferrell’s Facebook page that refer to police. A post on April 7th reads, “If I was rich I would offer rewards for badges.” Another on April 14th says, “We the people need to unarm the police. Id (sic) rather hear every day about an unarmed cop getting shot by a criminal then (sic) armed cops killing innocent people.”
The 16-year-old is accused of shooting a Cornelius Police Lieutenant Saturday. Investigators say he opened fire after officers responded to a domestic dispute on Coachman’s Trace Drive.
WCCB showed neighbor Betty Oddo the posts. She says it’s disappointing that no one caught them ahead of time. “(They could have been) observed by somebody that could maybe have given notice of this person’s thoughts,” Oddo says.
Police say Ferrell was wearing a bulletproof vest when he fired, hitting Lieutenant James Quattlebaum in the stomach. Quattlebaum is expected to be ok. Another officer returned fire, hitting Ferrell at least once, but he wasn’t seriously injured.
Now the teen faces multiple charges including attempted first degree murder.
Ferrell’s social media posts come in the days following several high-profile police shootings around the country.
CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe says it’s important all officers are ready, especially in situations like the one Saturday. “There’s vulnerabilities that are out there and we hope that we can prepare ourselves and prepare the community in a way in which neither one is hurt,” Monroe says.
