Man in critical condition after shootout with police

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A man is in critical condition after a shootout with police in Northeast Charlotte. Cars and homes are riddled with bullets on Autumn Frost Trail where police spent eight hours investigating after shots were fired outside of a home.

Neighbors who didn’t want to go on camera say the police had been called out to the neighborhood several times this summer to resolve arguments between the same couple that was the center of the commotion Tuesday afternoon.

CMPD Chief Estella Patterson says a woman called police saying she believed a man who she had a domestic violence protective order against was heading to her home with a gun. When police arrived the woman was at a nearby business but her home became the center of the shootout.

“Our officers, we believe, received an imminent and deadly threat, and multiple officers fired their weapons, striking the suspect,” Chief Patterson said.

Chief Patterson says the suspect showed up to the victim’s house with a gun and violated a court order. She says the woman left the home and called police.

“Because of that DVPO that’s in place, and perhaps they have a history, she was a very forward-thinking that she stated, making sure that the safety of her and anybody else was in place,” Chief Patterson said.

When police arrived to the home around 11:30a.m., Chief Patterson says the suspect shot toward officers and they shot back. Neighbors told WCCB the suspect was wearing what appeared to be a bulletproof vest.

“We are so thankful that she indicated to us that she believed that he had a firearm because now our officers are on high alert as they arrive to the scene,” Chief Patterson said.

Chief Patterson says bullets hit nearby homes and cars. She says the suspect was shot multiple times but no one else was hurt.

“Our officers are heroes. They come to work. They do a great job and there’s instances like this that they have to be prepared,” Chief Patterson said. “I take confidence because they’re well trained and prepared.”

CMPD has not released the name or age of the suspect. He is still in the hospital in critical condition. SBI will handle the officer involved shooting investigation and CMPD will handle the violation of the protective order part.