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Man shot, killed by Raleigh police after throwing Molotov cocktails at officers, vehicles outside station

The Raleigh Police Department said Saturday that a man shot and killed by police in southeast Raleigh was throwing "incendiary weapons" believed to be Molotov cocktails at police vehicles and officers prior to the shooting.

Posted Updated

By
Cory Dinkel, WRAL multiplatform producer
and
Leslie Moreno, WRAL multimedia journalist
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Raleigh Police Department said Saturday that a man shot and killed by police in southeast Raleigh was throwing "incendiary weapons" believed to be Molotov cocktails at police vehicles and officers prior to the shooting.

The shooting occurred at the Raleigh Police Southeast District Saturday afternoon.

Part of Rock Quarry Road was blocked off before 2 p.m. for multiple police units at the scene, which is not far from Southeast Raleigh High School.

Police said officers observed the suspect throwing what they believed to be Molotov cocktails at police vehicles in the parking lot of the Raleigh Police Southeast District station.

Scanner traffic from the incident said the suspect appeared to be about 20 years old.

The Raleigh Police Department confirmed an officer-involved shooting incident along Rock Quarry Road near the Raleigh Police Southeast District Saturday afternoon.

Police said at least two vehicles caught on fire.

Raleigh Police Chief Estella D. Patterson said the suspect was told to stop multiple times but continued.

“The individual continued to throw multiple Molotov cocktails in the parking lot and eventually towards our officers who were there and eventually did throw one to officers who were in close proximity to him,” said Patterson.

That’s when officers fired their weapons. The suspect was shot several times.

Officers then provided CPR while EMS arrived.

A total of four officers were involved - all were placed on administrative leave.

Police said the identities of those involved will be provided in a written report outlining the department's initial findings, which will be provided to the city manager within five business days.

A video circulating on Facebook showed the aftermath recorded on a stream.

The video shows at least one police car on fire and several officers giving someone CPR.

A separate video sent to WRAL News Sunday afternoon shows the moments leading up to the fatal shooting. The video, filmed from a car, shows a flaming vehicle as the car drives past the police station.

The video then captures what appears to be on of the Molotov cocktails exploding while more than 10 shots can be heard. The video does not capture the shooting itself.

It is unknown if any officers were injured during the incident.

Heavy police presence blocks Rock Quarry Road in southeast Raleigh

Police said officers were wearing body worn cameras that were activated and captured the incident. Raleigh police said it will seek a petition to authorize release of the videos of this incident.

Patterson said an internal investigation is underway as well as an investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation.

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