Charlotte officer shoots fugitive driver who was ramming cars in escape attempt

A man who was driving a stolen vehicle was wounded by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers Wednesday night, officials said.

The man was identified as Nicholas Poulos, 30, and police say he was wanted on charges of felony probation violation, possession with intent to manufacture, selling and delivering heroin, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Investigators say the shooting occurred at the intersection of Monroe Road and Wendover Road in southeast Charlotte, just before 11 p.m.

The incident started when officers reported seeing an out-of-state stolen vehicle in the area of Interstate 77 and Carowinds Boulevard, and determined that the driver was a fugitive. Officers followed the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop at Wendover Road and Monroe Road, according to a police statement.

“Officers exited their vehicles and attempted to take the subject into custody, when the suspect rammed his vehicle into several occupied and unoccupied police cars,” said a statement from Charlotte Mecklenburg Police. “Additionally, the subject rammed a vehicle occupied by a civilian. A CMPD officer perceived an imminent deadly threat and subsequently fired his weapon striking the man.”

Medic responded and transported the man to the hospital with a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his hand, police said.

Poulos remained at the hospital Thursday morning for treatment. On his release, he will be served with warrants for assault on a law enforcement officer, assault with a deadly weapon (against the civilian), four counts of damage to property, possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of marijuana, officials said.

The officer involved in the shooting has been identified as Officer David Harvey. As is standard procedure, Harvey has been placed on administrative leave while the case is investigated. Harvey has been with CMPD since August 29, 2011, and is currently assigned to the Steele Creek Division, officials said.

The Internal Affairs Bureau will conduct a separate but parallel investigation to determine whether CMPD policies and procedures were followed, officials said.

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

This story was originally published December 27, 2017 at 11:34 PM with the headline "Charlotte officer shoots fugitive driver who was ramming cars in escape attempt."