Officer injured and 18-year-old homicide suspect killed after shootout with police

MONROE, N.C – An 18-year-old homicide suspect is dead and an officer is recovering after a shooting, according to Monroe Police.

Joshua Sikes is accused of shooting at a Monroe police officer early Saturday morning. Police say they spotted the suspect traveling in a suspicious vehicle along old Charlotte highway near rocky river road around 1:45am.

When officers tried to pull him over he drove away triggering a chase that police say lasted about 5 minutes.

Police use stop sticks on the vehicle near Goldmine Road. Police say that’s when Sikes fired multiple shots and hit an officer. Police say he then ran into a wooded area where k9’s, drones and a helicopter were used to track him.

Authorities say Sikes was found just before 4 am with a rifle and again shot at officers. Police say they shot back and killed Sikes. The Monroe officer who was hit got out of the hospital earlier this evening.

In a statement the Monroe Police Chief says, “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.”

After Sikes was killed officers responded to Astoria drive in Indian Trail where they found a person shot to death. Investigators say Sikes shot and killed 23-year-old Alvin Parson on Saturday night. Authorities said they believe Sikes shot parson before encountering the police, which they say lead to the violent exchange.