CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is commending its SWAT team and patrol officers for successfully de-escalating several dangerous situations, which were resolved peacefully.
SWAT responded to four incidents since the beginning of June where suspects barricaded themselves inside homes and, at one time, shot at officers.
“Officers have to make split second decisions as to whether they will stand their ground and return fire or find cover and try to find another resolution,” CMPD Maj. Dave Johnson said Tuesday.
June 2: Officers responded to a domestic disturbance at an apartment on Little Abbey Lane in Steele Creek and were met with gunfire once they arrived to the scene.
[PAST COVERAGE: Standoff ends peacefully after shots fired at officers in Steele Creek]
The suspect fired several rounds at officers nearly striking them. Officers got to safety and evacuated surrounding apartments.
The CMPD SWAT team got there and negotiations with the suspect started. The suspect eventually surrendered himself.
June 9: CMPD officers were called out to Magnolia Hill Drive in the Eastway Division on a call for an assault with a deadly weapon.
The suspect was accused of shooting a female victim.
By the time officers got to the scene, the female suspect barricaded herself inside an apartment.
SWAT was mobilized and, once again, negotiations with the suspect were underway. That led to a peaceful resolution and the apprehension of the suspect.
June 10: In the Hickory Grove Division, there were reports of a domestic disturbance on Split Rail Lane near Harrisburg Road.
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Two victims told CMPD officers that a suspect assaulted them and fired shots inside the residence. A perimeter was set up and a search warrant was issued. SWAT responded and after some negotiating, the suspect surrendered. Officers seized four firearms.
June 12: Officers responded to reports of a shooting near the 2700 block of Mill Valley Court near East Independence Boulevard.
[PAST COVERAGE: Suspect taken into custody after nearly 7-hour standoff in southeast Charlotte]
They got to the home and opened the door while a suspect walked down the stairs. Officers asked for him to show his hands but instead brandished a firearm.
The officers took cover while the suspect fired the gun inside the house.
A perimeter was secured and nearby residents were evacuated.
SWAT rushed to the scene and negotiators tried to make contact with the suspect for several hours. SWAT used an “array of de-escalation tactics and tools to disorient the suspect,” who was taken into custody safely.
CMPD utilizes, not only criminal prosecution, but also mental health resources, community policing, the Crisis Response Team and mobile health resources, Johnson said.
Officers were not hurt and did not fire a single shot during any of the standoffs.
“The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department wants to commend its officers for the bravery and overwhelming dedication they put into their daily service to the Charlotte community,” the department said in a news release. “Our officers respond to daily reports of disturbances, assaults, robberies and many other call-types involving weapons, and routinely encounter the resistance of armed suspects. Officers enter each of these situations with a skillset evolved from specialized training, equipment and teamwork to ensure the safety of all parties involved. Their success is in their diligence and utmost regard for human life.”
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