Was shoot out suspect grazed by officer’s bullet or not? CMPD not sure

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said Thursday they still aren’t sure if a suspect captured during a pawn shop robbery on Wednesday was wounded by a police officer’s bullet or injured in some other manner.

Either way, the department is investigating the shooting that took place at 6:48 p.m. Wednesday, at 3250 Wilkinson Boulevard.

The incident occurred when officers were responding to reports of two armed men robbing the Cash American Pawn. Police say they quickly encountered one of the suspects, who fired a handgun at officers. One of the officers subsequently fired at the suspect, who sustained a very minor injury.

Investigators have identified the officer as Kendrick Williams, who has been employed with the CMPD since January 25, 2010.

The victim was identified as Bobby Lannell Hargrove, age 18. He was transported to Carolinas Medical Center for treatment and detectives are working to determine if the wound was caused by being grazed when the officer fired his weapon, or in a different manner. No officers, employees or civilian bystanders were injured.

Hargrove has been charged with three counts of kidnapping, robbery with dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery with dangerous weapon, and assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm. Records show he has been arrested about a half dozen times in Mecklenburg County, starting back in 2013. Past charges have included carrying a concealed weapon, misdemeanor larceny and accessory after the fact.

Detectives are working to identify the second suspect in the pawn shot robbery.

As is standard procedure with any officer involved shooting, the Internal Affairs Bureau will conduct a separate but parallel investigation to determine whether CMPD policies and procedures were adhered to during the course of the incident. Per department protocol, the officer will be placed on Administrative Leave, which is standard procedure.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective Fitch is the lead detective assigned to the case. The public can also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or visit the Crime Stoppers mobile app website athttp://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.

This story was originally published October 13, 2016 at 6:29 AM with the headline "Was shoot out suspect grazed by officer’s bullet or not? CMPD not sure."