A suspect who reportedly opened fire on police was killed in an incident early this morning (May 28) in Newton. According to the Newton Police Department, at approximately 12:35 a.m., the agency received a call from the Catawba County Communications Center in reference to a woman who said that she had been shot while in the parking lot of the Catawba County Government Center on Government Drive. The woman left that parking lot and went to the parking lot of Planet Fitness on Northwest Boulevard.
Officers, EMS and Newton Fire Department responders began performing life saving measures on the woman. While officers were on the scene, the alleged shooter drove into the parking lot and began shooting into the area of the officers and EMS while they were providing medical services to the woman. Officers at the scene returned fire,
striking the suspect causing him to drop his firearm and fall to the ground.
Both the female victim and the male suspect sustained several gunshot wounds and were transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center and then flown by helicopter to Atrium Health Medical Center in Charlotte. The female victim was last reported to be in stable condition and the male suspect passed away from his injuries. The victim and suspect did know each other.
At this time, no names are being released and per departmental policies, the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation being conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
In addition to Newton Police and the State Bureau of Investigations, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Conover and Hickory Police Departments Catawba County EMS, and Newton Fire Department responded. This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with information about this case is asked the Newton Police Department at 828-465-7430.
Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY