SWAT team arrests suspect after standoff following shooting of CMPD officer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A suspect is in custody following a multi-hour standoff with a SWAT team hours after a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer was shot in west Charlotte, authorities announced Wednesday afternoon.

Dionte Antonio McCracking, 28, was arrested at a residence in the Steele Creek Division at approximately 2:42 p.m. He has been charged with attempted murder on a law enforcement officer and possession of a firearm by a felon.

The arrest follows a morning-long manhunt after an officer was shot and wounded around 12:30 a.m. while investigating a stolen vehicle in the 1200 block of Enderly Road. The injured officer remains in stable condition.

Detectives tracked McCracking to a local residence, where he barricaded himself inside. SWAT officers evacuated surrounding apartments and cordoned off the area before tracking dogs and tactical teams took McCracking into custody.

The arrest involved local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the State Bureau of Investigation and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

CMPD Chief Estella D. Patterson stated the arrest reflects a troubling uptick in regional violence, noting that CMPD officers have been shot at in three separate incidents over the last nine days.

“Let me be absolutely clear: violence against our officers will not be tolerated,” Patterson said. “If you choose to use violence against a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department law enforcement professional, we will hold you accountable and charge you to the fullest extent of the law.”

McCracking was transported to the Mecklenburg County jail following his arrest.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-8477 (TIPS) and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective, or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or on the Charlotte Crime Stoppers website.