MONROE, NC — Four Union County Sheriff’s Deputies and one Monroe Police Officer are on paid administrative leave after a fatal officer involved shooting overnight.
The shooting happened just before midnight at the Metro PCS on Roosevelt Boulevard. Officials say the incident began when deputies noticed a white Pontiac Bonneville near Five Points without tail lights. Deputies attempted to make a traffic stop, but the suspect took off and led them on a brief chase that ended in a nearby parking lot.
That’s when investigators say Joshua Suggs got out of the vehicle with a long gun, and a deputy fired several shots from his patrol car. Suggs ran to a nearby Metro PCS, which was unlocked due to repair work being done, and entered the store.
Officials with the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe Police, and Wingate Police surrounded the store and attempted to make contact with Suggs over a PA system. After about 20 minutes, deputies say Suggs moved to the doorway with the gun in his hand.
After refusing to obey officers’ commands to drop the gun, investigators say officers and deputies fired several shots. Medic transported Suggs to Carolinas Healthcare-Union where he was pronounced dead.
The SBI has been called in to investigate the shooting, which is standard procedure.
The names of the officer and deputies involved have not yet been released.
