CMPD Officer Wounded in Shootout with Suspect

The man accused of shooting him Saturday night will be charged once he’s released from the hospital.

Now an investigation is underway into what led to that Southwest Charlotte shootout.

“Its no secret that one of our officers was struck, Lt. Andy Harris,” says CMPD Chief Kerr Putney.

Now police are looking into this man, 25 Year-Old Joshuale Carter.

CMPD says Carter began shooting at police and firefighters when they arrived to a call on Honey Hill Lane just before 10 p.m. Saturday night.

“He was the first officer on the scene.  Then two officers came up shortly after.  As soon as suspect saw the officer, suspect started firing we returned fire,” says Chief Putney.

Lieutenant Andy Harris, seen in an interview with WCCB news in 2014, was hit in the abdomen but is expected to be OK.

“We’re happy that the officer is going to be fine,” says Chief Putney.

Meanwhile, Carter is still in critical condition.

He faces several charges once released; including two counts of attempted murder.

Police believe he also shot another person who was found with non-life threatening injuries Saturday night.

We checked into Carters criminal record and found he’s been convicted of felony breaking and entering and resisting an officer.

For now police say they are just glad their officer is okay.

“The Lieutenant leading by example responding to a call somebody need our assistance and the heroism of the officers responding to assist goes beyond question,” says Chief Putney.

Chief Putney says Lieutenant Harris’ bullet proof vest likely prevented a more serious injury.

Harris, along with Sergeant Jonathan Steppe and Officer Jon Carroll are all on paid administrative leave; which is standard procedure.

All three are assigned to the Steele Creek division.