Bladen sheriff: Man shot by officers in Elizabethtown

The Bladen County Sheriff's office said a deputy stopped a vehicle near the intersection of Poplar and King streets around 1 a.m. after seeing the car run two traffic lights. After he stopped the vehicle, the deputy learned the driver, who was not identified, had an outstanding felony warrant for arrest for failing to appear on drug charges.

During the traffic stop, the deputy began to arrest the driver and found a small bag of a controlled substance, according to the sheriff's office. A struggle ensued, and the driver was able to make it back to his vehicle where he retrieved a handgun, the sheriff said.

An Elizabethtown police officer arrived on scene, and the deputy said the driver had a gun. The driver then shot at the Elizabethtown officer, according to the sheriff. Both the officer and the deputy returned fire, and the driver was struck several times. Neither officer was injured.

The driver was transported to the Bladen County Hospital and later taken to New Hanover Memorial Hospital in Wilmington, where he underwent surgery. The condition of the driver is not known.

The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into the incident, and both officers were placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.