CMPD identifies robbery suspect, officer involved in Steele Creek shooting
A robbery suspect is hospitalized with a gunshot wound after exchanging gunfire with a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer outside a southwest Charlotte convenience store, according to CMPD.
On Monday afternoon, CMPD identified the suspect as 34-year-old Jemario Bernard Baldwin who currently is in the hospital for a gunshot wound and injuries he sustained in a vehicle crash after a pursuit.
Investigators say the shooting happened around 3:30 a.m. Sunday, when officers were called to a convenience store in the 9300 block of Steele Creek Road. The area is just south of Charlotte Premium Outlets, off Interstate 485 in southwest Charlotte.
“Preliminary information indicates that officers arrived at the convenience store and encountered the robbery suspect, the suspect fired shots at officers and one officer returned fire,” CMPD said in a news release Sunday.
“The suspect subsequently fled the scene in a vehicle and led officers on a vehicle pursuit which concluded in the 2100 block of S. Tryon Street after the suspect’s vehicle collided with a utility pole. When officers attempted to take the suspect into custody, they discovered he sustained a gunshot wound.”
Police said Monday that after Baldwin is released from the hospital, he would be arrested for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer, kidnapping, assault by pointing a gun, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony fleeing to elude in a motor vehicle and two counts of attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon.
No officers were injured in the shooting, officials said.
The Observer’s news partner WBTV identified the shooting location as the Mobil Gas Station and Sam’s Express Car Wash.
CMPD Officer Samantha Thompson, who has worked with the department since 2012, has been placed on paid administrative leave as the case is investigated, which is standard policy whenever an officer discharges a weapon, police said Monday.
“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 incident,” officials said in the release.
This story was originally published December 6, 2020 at 6:55 AM.
