At approximately 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 12, Salisbury Police were dispatched to the Harris Teeter Grocery Store located at 850 West Jake Alexander Blvd. in reference to a possible armed robbery. When officers arrived they discovered that a robbery was in progress, and the suspect was holding hostages inside of the store.
Officers made contact with the suspect, who was armed with a handgun and attempted to negotiate his peaceful surrender. While police negotiated with the suspect, he presented a clear threat to harm one of the hostages with the handgun. In response to that threat, one Salisbury Officer fired one shot from his issued rifle, striking the suspect. The suspect was immediately secured and first aid started by officers.
All the hostages being held in the store were simultaneously evacuated to safety. Rowan EMS was on scene for standby and began treating the suspect as well. The suspect was taken to Novant Rowan helipad and transported by helicopter to North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem for treatment of his wound.
The suspect is still being treated for his injuries and is in critical condition. There were no injuries to either the hostages or police. The NC SBI will be conducting the investigation into the officer involved shooting and Salisbury Police Criminal Investigations will be investigating the robbery.
The name of the Officer involved and the suspect will be released at a later time.