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Shooting Victim Thought Officers Were Burglars, Friend Says

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john britt
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A friend of a Fayetteville man critically wounded Friday night, when officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant on him, blames deputies for how they handled the situation.

The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office said Deputy Matt Raymes and John Clyde Britt exchanged shots as Raymes tried to serve Britt an arrest warrant on narcotics charges. Britt was wounded and taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition Monday.

Some of Britt's family and friends, who were inside Britt's home at the time, said Britt thought officers were burglars.

"They were too intense and they could have knocked and said, 'Police,' and we would have opened the door," said Christine Doyle, a friend of Britt. "They gave us no warning and just fired."

Raymes was placed on administrative leave with pay, which is standard in an officer-involved shooting, the sheriff's office said.

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