CMPD update on death investigation on Brookshire Freeway

Shortly before 7:30 p.m. on January 8, 2009 Eastway Division officers responded to a 911 call for service in reference to an armed robbery from person at 1705 Eastcrest Dr.  The victim was robbed at gunpoint and pistol-whipped by two black male suspects; who fled the scene in a stolen red Ford Mustang.  Approximately thirty minutes later, Eastway Division officers spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop the vehicle.  After the suspect vehicle refused to stop for officers; officers initiated a vehicle pursuit.  They lost sight of the suspect vehicle and due to the high rate of speed officers terminated the vehicle pursuit.

While continuing to canvass the area for the suspect vehicle; officers encountered a vehicle collision in the 200 block of W Brookshire Frwy., which involved the suspect vehicle.  A plain clothed City of Gastonia Officer stopped to render aid to the parties involved in the collision.  Then as CMPD officers arrived they witnessed an altercation between the suspects and a plain clothed City of Gastonia officer.  This encounter involved a carjacking between the suspect and the Gastonia officer. During the carjacking shots were fired by the officer striking the suspect, the suspect gained control of the officer’s vehicle, and sped off crashing the vehicle into an overhead highway sign post a short distance away.

Upon impact, the vehicle burst into flames, one suspect fled the scene and the second suspect was pulled from the burning vehicle by CMPD officers.  The suspect who was pulled from the vehicle was pronounced deceased on scene and the second suspect was taken into police custody at 3113 Southwest Blvd, Apt #4 after an extensive search conducted by several CMPD officers.

Once suspect identification and family notification has been made their name will be released.  In addition, the second suspect’s name will be released once he is formally charged.

CMPD Homicide detectives and the HITS unit will be conducting the investigation and interviewing witnesses to determine the exact sequence of events that occurred during this incident.  Crime Scene Search responded and is processing the scene for physical evidence.  The exact cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office.