UPDATE (9/21/22): The woman who fired shots at a North Carolina Highway Patrol Sergeant has been identified. Michelle Brown, 45, of Villa Rica, GA, is the suspect involved in the case. Pending release from the hospital, Brown will be served with warrants for first-degree kidnapping and first-degree attempted murder.
Authorities have not said who the kidnapping victim is. This story is still developing.
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BURKE CO., NC — A State Highway Patrol Sergeant was involved in a shooting with an armed kidnapping suspect on Tuesday.
At 6:45 a.m., troopers were notified of multiple hit and run accidents that had occurred between McDowell and Burke Counties. Around the same time, an armed kidnapping was reported on I-40 eastbound near mile marker 114 in Hildebran.
State officials say the armed suspect, identified as a woman, was lying in the truck bed of the kidnapped victim’s truck. Sergeant Aaron Johnson arrived on scene and found the truck stopped on the shoulder of the road. The woman fired shots at Sgt. Johnson and he returned fire striking her. She was transported to an area hospital. Officials say Sgt. Johnson was not injured.
The woman who was shot has not been identified and there is no word on the kidnapping victim.
According to state officials, Sgt. Aaron Johnson is a 19-year-veteran and is stationed in Burke County. He has been placed on administrative duty, while the investigation continues.
The State Bureau of Investigations will oversee the investigation involving the sergeant. The State Highway Patrol will investigate the woman involved and say charges are forthcoming.
