Chief Says Teen was Prepared to Ambush Officer Before Shooting

“He came down those stairs in an effort to ambush Lt. Quattlebaum,” said Chief Hoyle.

 

Arrest records reveal the teen was armed with a shotgun and wearing a bullet-proof vest when officers showed up at his home for a domestic disturbance call Saturday.

 

Investigators say he shot Lt. Quattlebaum in the stomach at close range. A second officer shot back, stopping the teen.

 

“Ask any police officer,” said Chief Hoyle. “If they’re old enough to a pull a trigger, they’re a threat. And I know that sounds harsh sometimes, but there’s plenty of stories about officers being shot by people younger than that.”

 

After the shooting Saturday, neighbors recalled a troubled teen.

 

WCCB Charlotte first revealed social media posts on Ferrell’s page that threatened police. Officers often showed up to reported violent family arguments.

 

Police records show Ferrell was involved in two domestic disturbances. Last August, police say he took his mother’s car without her permission. Four months later, his mother called police because she says her son became violent, spit on her and broke her ribs weeks prior. However, she didn’t report that incident. She told police then that she feared her son might kill her.

 

WCCB Charlotte stopped by the teen’s home several times Monday, but no one answered the door.

 

“This is not a good situation. Certainly something that could have been much, much worse,” said Mayor Chuck Travis.

 

He spoke after seeing Lt. Quattlebaum in the hospital Monday.

 

The bullet-proof vests on both the teen and the officer stopped the bullets.

 

The officer is recovering at home now. The teen is still in jail with no bond. 

 

He faces six charges, including Attempted First Degree Murder and Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Government official.