Charlotte man charged in police officer assault

A vehicle theft suspect who police said assaulted an officer and another person on Wilkinson Boulevard on Friday was formally charged in the case Saturday afternoon.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police charged Darryll Douglas Clay, 32, of Charlotte, after he was released from Carolinas Medical Center for an unrelated illness.

Clay was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, common law robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, assault on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest.

Police on Saturday released more details about what led Officer Michelle Brcik to fire her Taser and then her gun during the encounter.

Brcik responded to a call Friday morning of a disabled vehicle on Wilkinson Boulevard, between West Morehead Street and Sutton Avenue.

She saw a person trying to help jump-start the pickup truck of the stranded motorist, who was Clay.

The real owner of the vehicle then approached the officer to say the pickup had been stolen during a home invasion, police said.

When Brcik radioed for assistance, Clay got into the vehicle of the person who was trying to help him. When the person tried to stop Clay from driving away, Clay assaulted the person, police said.

Brcik got the person out of the way and tried to grab Clay, but he began to hit her, police said. That’s when she fired her Taser, according to the police statement.

Clay had a gun, and when he left the car, the gun fell to the ground. Brcik drew her gun and gave him commands that he disobeyed, according to the statement from police.

Clay continued to disobey Brcik’s commands, police said. Then he picked up his gun and turned toward Brcik, who fired her gun once, according to the statement. Clay ran across Wilkinson Boulevard and tried to carjack motorists, police said.

As Brcik chased Clay, she heard a gunshot. She stopped near some woods, took a “tactical position of safety” and waited for more police help, the statement said. Other officers arrived and soon arrested Clay.

Brcik’s non-shooting hand was injured during the confrontation.

Saturday’s statement was based on numerous interviews by detectives with people who witnessed what happened as well as police involved in the incident and a review of video surveillance during the investigation, CMPD spokesman Rob Tufano said.

On Friday, police had said Clay and Brcik exchanged gunfire before Clay was captured. On Saturday, Tufano said police still believe there was an exchange of gunfire between Clay and Brcik given the shot the officer heard.

This story was originally published October 17, 2015 at 7:41 PM with the headline "Charlotte man charged in police officer assault."