Bragg soldier shot after threatening police

Fayetteville police said they shot a Fort Bragg soldier early Saturday after he aimed a gun at them.

Posted 1:29 p.m. May 5, 2012 — Updated 10:57 p.m. May 6, 2012

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Fayetteville police said they shot a Fort Bragg soldier early Saturday after he aimed a gun at them. Army Staff Sgt. Mark Lewis Salazar was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where he was in critical condition Sunday.

Police were called to 6505 Pacific Avenue at about 3 a.m. on a report of a gun being fired. When they arrived, officers said they found Salazar, 27, standing in the driveway, holding his gun. When they asked him to put it down, he pointed it at them instead, police said.

The three officers involved – James Tart, Michael Bohannon and Chase Robinson – were placed on leave with pay while the State Bureau of Investigation looks into the incident, which is common practice when a law enforcement officer fires a gun.

Police said no charges are pending.

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