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Fayetteville officer shot in hostage situation; suspect found dead

A Fayetteville police officer was shot in the leg Tuesday afternoon after responding to a burglary in progress at a home on the 4700 block of Rosehill Road. The suspect was later found dead inside the residence, police said.

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A Fayetteville police officer was shot in the leg Tuesday afternoon after responding to a burglary in progress at a home at 4713 Rosehill Road.

The suspect was later found dead inside the residence, police said.

Officers encountered the suspect, identified as Charles McBennett, 45, at the front door of the home at about 3 p.m.

"As McBennett recognized the officers, he drew a weapon from his clothing and immediately fired gunshots at the officers," the department said in a statement.

Fayetteville Police Officer Michael Canada, 50, was shot in the leg.

Officers returned fire, including Canada, before McBennett, who was hit by police gunfire, ran into the home, Fayetteville Police Chief Harold Medlock said.

"During attempts to make contact with McBennett and establish negotiations after he fled into the home, the FPD’s Emergency Response Team discovered that McBennett was deceased inside of the residence," the department said.

McBennett's body was found near the front door of the home, Medlock said.

Canada, who joined the department in 2011, was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where he was last listed in stable condition.

The department did not say Tuesday night whether McBennett died as a result of police gunfire or a self-inflicted wound.

The homeowner, who was inside the residence during the incident, was not injured.

Warrenwood Elementary School, located down the street from the home, was placed on a code yellow lockdown during the situation. A few students were in the school for tutoring, school officials said.

The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office is investigating the officer's actions. The involved officers, which the department did not name Tuesday night, will be placed on administrative duty, standard in officer-involved shootings.

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