CMPD officer shoots teen who refused to drop gun

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer shot a teenager Saturday night who refused to drop a gun despite the officer’s commands, Police Chief Rodney Monroe said.

The officer fired three or four shots, striking the teen in one of his legs and wrists, Monroe said at a late-night news conference. The teen is expected to recover from his wounds, the chief said.

Medic said it took the person who’d been shot to Carolinas Medical Center with potentially life threatening injuries.

The teen, who Monroe said is 14 or 15 years old, was part of a group of 10 to 15 people gathered in the 1200 block of North Tryon Street.

At 8:30 p.m., officers had responded to a 911 call for service in the 900 block of North Tryon in reference to a large teen party taking place, police said in a news release issued after Monroe’s news conference.

The caller said several males at the party were attempting to hide guns in their clothing, police said. Once officers arrived, the teens scattered.

At 8:42 p.m., 911 received a call that shots were being fired in the 1200 block of North Tryon.

Officers who went to break up the crowd saw the teen holding the gun and ordered him to drop the weapon, but he refused, police said.

Officer Paul Quinichett then fired his weapon, police said. No one else was injured.

As is standard procedure with any officer-involved shooting, CMPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau will conduct a separate but parallel investigation to determine whether CMPD policies and procedures were followed.

As per department protocol, Quinichett has been put on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to call 704-432-TIPS (8477) and speak with a homicide unit detective or call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

This story was originally published March 7, 2015 at 9:48 PM with the headline "CMPD officer shoots teen who refused to drop gun."