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Newton Police obtained eight felony warrants for the man hospitalized after exchanging gunfire with police on Monday. Police learned 24-year-old Keon Leach of Newton has 8 felony warrants. Four felony accounts of assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill and four felony accounts of assault on a law enforcement officer.
Leach is currently a patient at Atrium Health Medical Center in Charlotte and is in stable condition. There were no officers or deputies injured as a result of any gunfire during this incident.
This is an ongoing investigation and the two officers and deputy are still on administrative leave. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Newton Police Department at 828-465-7430.
Original story:
NEWTON, N.C. – A man is in critical condition after exchanging gunfire with Newton police officers late Monday night.
On the evening of July 8th around 11:39 p.m. officers with the Newton County Police Department received a call from Catawba County Communications Center in reference to a 911-hang-up call at the Catawba Pines Apartments located on East 1st Street in Newton.
Upon arrival, officers say they were confronted by numerous noncomplying people in the parking lot.
According to a news release, while officers were trying to locate the 911-hang-up caller, they made contact with a man exposing a gun. While attempting to get the man to drop the gun, the man reportedly fired several shots at officers, police say.
After a brief standoff, officers returned fire, striking the man, causing him to fall to the ground, according to a news release.
Shortly after, EMS arrived on scene and began life saving measures. The man was then transported to the Catawba County Medical Center, then airlifted to Atrium Health in Charlotte, where he is listed in critical condition.
At this time, no names have been released and per departmental policies the officers and deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation by the Newton Police Department and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.
This is an ongoing investigation, anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Newton Police Department at 828-465-7430.
