Suspect named after shots were fired at CMPD officer in west Charlotte

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police identified Friday evening the man who they believe fired shots at Officer Michelle Brcik on Wilkinson Boulevard earlier that day.

Police said 32-year-old Darryll Douglas Clay of Charlotte began shooting at Brcik after the officer stopped about 10:30 a.m. to check on his disabled vehicle in the 2100 block of Wilkinson, between West Morehead Street and Suttle Avenue.

As Brcik approached the vehicle, she discovered it was stolen during a home invasion last week, police said.

Suddenly, Clay pulled out a firearm and Brcik immediately fired her Taser, police said. It failed to stop Clay. A struggle followed before Brcik and Clay exchanged gunfire, police said.

As Clay fled, he continued to fire his gun in the officer’s direction, police said. During the struggle, the officer suffered minor injuries to her hand, apparently during a fall, police said.

The suspect crossed Wilkinson Boulevard and tried to carjack several motorists, police said. More officers arrived and eventually found him in nearby woods, police said.

He was taken to the Carolinas Medical Center and was being treated for an unrelated illness. Police said he didn’t appear to be shot. Once he’s released from CMC, he will be charged for his involvement in the case.

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

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department protocol, she will be placed on paid administrative leave.

Police closed roads in the area, including part of Wilkinson Boulevard near Morehead Street, as they investigated the incident. Police also closed the Interstate 277 Inner Loop where the highway turns into Wilkinson (U.S. 74) eastbound, state highway officials said.

The charter school Invest Collegiate was placed on lockdown for 45 minutes during the incident, according to Observer news partner WBTV.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS (8477) and speak to a detective, or call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

This story was originally published October 16, 2015 at 10:55 AM with the headline "Suspect named after shots were fired at CMPD officer in west Charlotte."