Shots Fired As Suspect, Officer Struggle for Gun

GOLDSBORO, N.C. — A suspect scuffled with a Goldsboro police officer during an arrest late Tuesday, leading to the suspect firing two shots from the officer's handgun, police said Wednesday.

Officer Chris Crawford had arrested Robert Edward Dukes, 30, of 1300 E. Ash St. in Goldsboro, on outstanding warrants for assault inflicting serious injury, kidnapping, common law robbery and assault by strangulation, police said. Crawford was processing Dukes at a magistrate's office shortly before midnight when Dukes assaulted him and they struggled over Crawford's gun, police said.

It was unclear whether Dukes was handcuffed at the time.

A group of citizens was in the lobby of the magistrate's office during the incident, but the judge rushed them outside and warned them of the struggle for the gun inside.

During the scuffle, Dukes fired two shots before Crawford and a Wayne County Sheriff’s Office detention officer were able to subdue him, police said. Nobody was wounded in the shooting, police said.

"The shots were fired from Officer Crawford's weapon. Whether it was outside of his holster or not, I can't say," said Sgt.Chad Calloway of the Goldsboro Police Department.

One bullet ricocheted off the door another went through a cork board. Both bullets ended up in a bathroom wall.

In her written statement to authorities, the magistrate said that she tried to help Crawford during the altercation but that he told her to stay back. "Get away. He's got a knife," she said Crawford yelled to her.

Both Dukes and Crawford were taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries. Crawford has been released, but Dukes remained hospitalized Wednesday evening.

"There was a cut to the suspect by way of ... a knife that the officer carried on his person," Calloway said.

The State Bureau of Investigations is reviewing the incident, and charges are pending, police said.

Crawford remained on regular duty Wednesday, police said.