Rocky Mount officer shoots suspect in motel robbery

Rocky Mount, N.C. — The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating after a Rocky Mount police officer was involved in a shooting Sunday evening at the Motel 6 at 1370 N. Wesleyan Blvd.

Officers responded to the motel at about 7 p.m. after a 20-year-man said he had been robbed at gunpoint while on the third floor.

An officer saw the suspect holding a gun outside the motel and shot at him, striking him once, police spokeswoman Laura Fahnestock said. Whether the suspect fired at police is under investigation, police said.

The suspect, whose name was not released, was taken to Nash General Hospital, then transferred to Pitt Regional Memorial Hospital in Greenville. He was listed in critical condition late Sunday.

No officers were injured.

A second suspect, thought to have been involved in the armed robbery, fled the scene. She was described as a black woman, 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a slim build and long black hair. She was wearing a pink winter coat and glasses.

The woman might be driving a late-model, dark green Cadillac sedan, Fahnestock said.

The SBI review of the shooting is standard procedure for any incident in which a North Carolina law enforcement officer fires a weapon.

Anyone with information regarding the robbery or shooting is asked to call the Rocky Mount Police Department at 919-972-1411.

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Latest Comments

Hey, "Works for me." Cops 1...criminal 0.

Vietnam Vet
January 4, 2010 6:18 p.m.

If the crime around here in eastern NC is this bad in cold weather, just imagine how bad it will be in the Spring and Summer. I hear people are afraid to book hotel rooms around Rocky Mount. The mall in RM was at one time a very nice mall. I'm not racist but the whole city council and PD has a lot of black people on it. With the DA being black, some black people feel that they can get away with a lot. There are some white poeple who cause crime here as well. Some of the biggest drug users here who buy drugs from black people are white. It's a lot of different people in the mix. The city is a war zone.

myrtlebeachrock
January 4, 2010 4:23 p.m.

The officer and suspect's name have been released by the RMPD. The suspect is also no longer in critical condition, he is deceased. He will not be able to rob anyone at gunpoint anymore as one commenter said he would be doing tomorrow. I'm glad no good guys got hurt this time. Also, it hasn't happened yet but I know it will, to all you LEO bashers, I know the officer, I had the pleasure of attending the Academy with him. He would not have pulled the trigger unless it was absolutely necessary and lawful. To everyone else, I'm sure he would appreciate your prayers and support, as it is never easy to take a life, even justifiably.