KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — A man died Friday after being shot by police during an attempted carjacking at South Main Street and Bethpage Road in Kannapolis, according to the Kannapolis Police Department.
Officers responded to the area at approximately 11:40 a.m. following a 911 call reporting a man firing a gun near South Main Street and Bell Street.
As officers neared the scene, they witnessed the suspect holding a gun and attempting to carjack a vehicle at the intersection, police said.
Officers shot the suspect during the incident. He was taken to Atrium Health Cabarrus, where he died from his injuries. No police officers were injured during the encounter.
A woman who owns a coffee shop at the corner of Main Street and Bethpage Road witnessed the incident as it unfolded in traffic. She said the suspect first attempted to enter a vehicle in front of him before targeting a second car directly behind it.
“He tried to grab one car in front of him. They already got off. He grabbed the second one that was behind him,” the coffee shop owner said. “The lady’s doors were locked, thank gosh. But he grabbed the back seat of her car. He didn’t get in. She kind of drove off, which kind of flung him in the direction of going back toward the direction of the apartment complex. Then, the police officers were here on the scene. They told him to freeze. He didn’t. He proceeded to run and then we heard five gunshots.”
A resident living in a nearby apartment complex stepped outside after hearing the disturbance. Having lived in the area for seven years, she noted that she had never experienced a similar situation.
“I’ve been here about 7 years, first time ever,” the resident said. “It can happen anywhere really, to be honest. But outside your front door? It’s kind of shocking.”
The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol pending an internal review of the incident.
The State Bureau of Investigation has been called to assist with the investigation per standard procedures.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.
©2026 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
