Murder suspect dead after officers shoot him outside local business

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CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — Catawba County deputies were on the scene of a deadly officer-involved shooting Monday night in the parking lot of the Elite Conover Complex on Farrington Street SW near Conover.

Catawba County’s Special Tactics and Response team tried to arrest Pierre Ramseur who worked at the business. He was wanted on several felony and misdemeanor crimes committed in the county.

Ramseur was wanted for second-degree kidnapping, common law robbery, felony larceny, misdemeanor larceny, communicating threats, injury to personal property, and had an outstanding domestic violence protective order.

He was also out on bond on a murder charge unrelated incident.

Officers shot and killed Ramseur after his car rammed several patrol vehicles and headed toward deputies.

‘Very scary’

Workers at Elite Comfort Solutions said they heard a half-dozen rounds before they ran to the back of the building.

“It’s kind of scary,” said Dale Coley, an employee. “Very scary. We heard gunshots and they told us to all head in the back and that’s where we headed.”

They said they had no idea a SWAT team was trying to arrest a coworker outside.

Workers described hearing the gunfire in the employee parking lot of the plant.

Investigators said Ramseur first refused to surrender and then began ramming police vehicles as SWAT tried to make the arrest.

Officers fired their weapons after they said he drove toward law enforcement striking this woman’s car.

Victoria Machuca said her daughter was inside the plant as police fired several rounds at the vehicle.

“I got a phone call that there were shots fired and she was running through the building,” Muchaca said.

She was thankful no one else was hurt.

“If I had known that someone was out on a murder charge working even near my daughter who is only 20 years old, I would never have allowed her to work here.”

It is not known if the company was aware of the murder charge.


The North Carolina State Bureau initiated an investigation into the matter.

No additional details have been made available.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.