Man arrested following officer-involved shooting in downtown Wilmington
A man was arrested Wednesday following an officer-involved shooting in downtown Wilmington.
Early in the afternoon Wednesday, Wilmington International Airport personnel encountered a suspicious man who tried to gain access to a secure area. Officers say the 33-year-old man was confronted by airport personnel who asked him to leave.
Later, at 5:01 p.m., Wilmington police, who did not know of the airport incident, tried to perform a traffic stop on a vehicle that was committing a traffic offense. The driver refused to stop. Due to the traffic volume, officers decided to terminate the pursuit.
Officers say the man then drove up behind the Wilmington police units and followed them. At the same time, an New Hanover County sheriff's deputy working the civil section was on foot in the area. The suspect then veered at the deputy as to strike him with his vehicle. Both WPD and NHCSO fired upon the man, striking him at least once.
The man drove off several blocks before he collided with a WPD vehicle and was arrested. He was transported to the hospital and is currently in surgery. Officers say this incident is unrelated to the recent shootings that have occurred in the Wilmington and New Hanover County area.
