Suspect hit when Wake deputies fire shots

It happened just before 6 p.m. at the InTown Suites at 1491 U.S. Highway 70 West. The deputies were attempting to serve a warrant on a man they had identified as a passenger in a car.

“We had an arrest warrant for a suspect that was involved in some drug transactions,” Sheriff Donnie Harrison said.

The deputies, who are with the sheriff's drug unit, followed the vehicle into the InTown Suites parking lot. When officers attempted to serve the warrant, Harrison said, a shooting erupted.

“We had him in a vehicle at the motel. We attempted to serve the warrant. That’s when the action happened and the shooting involved,” Harrison said.

The sheriff has not yet said whether the men inside the car pulled a gun on the officers or how many shots were fired. Harrison withheld the names of those involved Wednesday evening.

The suspect named in the warrant suffered a gunshot wound. He was transported to WakeMed with non-life-threatening injures. The other two men in the car were taken into custody.

People staying at the hotel were taken by surprise.

“I just heard a pop. I didn't know what was going on,” hotel resident Heather Bartch said.

“I saw the police, SWAT team (and a) helicopter above. I didn't have any clue what was going on,” hotel resident Cressom Brown said.

The State Bureau of Investigation was reviewing the shooting, which is standard procedure when officers shoot someone. Harrison said the deputies will be placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the SBI investigation.