‘Deadly threat’ during south Charlotte traffic stop ends with driver shot, CMPD says

An early morning traffic stop along South Boulevard turned into an officer-involved shooting when police “perceived an imminent deadly threat,” Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say.

The driver remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, CMPD said in a news release. The driver’s identity has not been released.

It happened around 2 a.m.Tuesday, Feb. 11, after officers “made multiple traffic stop attempts” along the 7000 block of South Boulevard, officials said.

“Preliminary information indicates that the vehicle pulled over, and the subject exited,” CMPD said.

“Officers perceived an imminent deadly threat and engaged with the subject. At least one officer discharged a service weapon. The subject was struck, and officers rendered aid on scene.”

A gun belonging to the driver was recovered at the scene, police said.

No officers were struck by gunfire, but “multiple officers were transported to a nearby hospital for precautionary measures,” CMPD said.

Officers involved in the shooting are on paid leave pending the outcome of an investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, police said.

“As is standard procedure with any officer involved shooting, the Internal Affairs Bureau will conduct a separate but parallel investigation,” CMPD said.