Armed suspect killed after shooting Monroe police officer

MONROE, N.C. – A suspect was shot and killed after allegedly shooting a Monroe police officer early Saturday morning, according to the Monroe Police Department.

Around 1:45 a.m., a Monroe police officer, traveling along Old Charlotte Highway, located a suspicious vehicle near Rocky River Road. The driver took off and the officer pursued.

The chase ended in under five minutes near Goldmine Road after stop sticks were successfully deployed. After this, police said the suspect, 18-year-old Joshua Sikes, opened fired and hit the officer multiple times. Sikes then ran into a heavily wooded area.

The Special Response Team (SRT) began a manhunt near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Goldmine Road with K9s, a drone, and a CMPD helicopter.

Just before 4 a.m., Sikes was found with a rifle and shot at officers, authorities said. The SRT shot back and killed Sikes. 

The Monroe officer was treated at Atrium Main in Charlotte and is in stable condition at this time.

“This suspect intended to kill our officer, and by the grace of God she’s alive right now. Everyone on our team followed their training and acted decisively to stop a deadly threat. We stand firmly behind their actions and are grateful that our officer will eventually be able to go home to her family,” said Monroe Police Chief Rhett Bolen.

Hours after Sikes was killed, officers responded to the 2000 block of Astoria Drive in Indian Trail in regards to a person shot inside a residence. Upon arrival, officers located 23-year-old Alvin Parson dead from a gunshot wound.

While investigating Parson’s death, deputies linked evidence to the homicide back to Sikes. Authorities said they believe Sikes shot Parson before his encounter with police and was actively evading capture, which led to the violent exchange.