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9:59 a.m. • 2-12-12

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Shots Fired As Suspect, Officer Struggle for Gun


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Robert Edward Dukes
Robert Edward Dukes
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.

RELATED TOPICS: Wayne County

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26 Comments


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I knew this guy when he lived in Raleigh. I was surprised to see him still alive. Another case of drugs taking over someone's life. What a waste. He was headed in the right direction, and then drugs changed that. What a big waste.

yea dukes is definitely an altar boy, 2 assault on female charges and 1 assault on a child plus several more. Even though no one seems to notice I give mad props to my FELLOW detention officer for helping that police officer subdue Dukes, we detention officers get neglected when it comes to praise for doing stuff so I wanted to say good job brother keep up the hard work.

Yep, an outstanding citizen. Is this the same Robert Dukes who also served time in NC DOC for assault on a child charges? Hurts kids, attempts to kill cops... yea, he's an alter boy.

There you go, you don't know everything. Making judgement. I hope people judge you totally opposite of who you really are. Ever thing that not all bad people are truly "bad"? They may just need some help. That's what is wrong with our society, so much negativity.

I hope the Little Bad Ass gets some actime time for this one.

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