Gunfire at Charlotte traffic stop ends with officer and suspect injured, CMPD says

Update: On Sept. 25, CMPD said the suspect who exchanged gunfire with police was Nelson Javier Funez Reyes, 37, who later died at a hospital. Police said Officer Kenneth Kludy was shot more than once. He and Officer Joshua Heater both fired their guns during the shootout.

An exchange of gunfire between a Charlotte police officer and a suspect left both seriously injured, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

A second police officer was hospitalized “for precautionary measures,” CMPD said in a news release.

The suspect, Nelson Javier Funez Reyes, 37, died after being taken to a hospital, officials said.

The incident took place around 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, as police were responding to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon in southwest Charlotte, officials said.

“At 7:29 p.m., officers initiated a traffic stop on the (suspect) vehicle in the 200 block of E. Arrowood Rd. when a suspect produced a handgun causing an exchange of gunfire,” CMPD reports.

“At 7:30 pm, officers placed an urgent assistance call for service to the area. Preliminary information indicates that one officer was struck. ... A suspect was also transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.”

The police officer was struck multiple times and sustained serious injuries, officials said. Details of the second officer’s injuries were not released.

A gun was recovered at the scene, officials said.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the CMPD Homicide Unit at 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a detective. Anonymous tips can be offered through Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/.

This story was originally published September 22, 2024 at 9:59 PM.