New details have been released about the shooting that occurred at a DWI checkpoint earlier last month. The shooting was being reported in the news but there not a lot of details available. Eight police officers were involved in the shooting that occurred in Leland, NC. The shooting happened after a vehicle tried to flee the checkpoint. Two suspects that were in the vehicle that was trying to flee the scene were shot, but recovered and have since had a first appearance in court to answer to charges.
An investigation into the shooting was conducted by the agencies the officers belonged to as well as the SBI. The officers who were involved in the shooting were placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation was under way. Seven of the eight officers who were involved will now be able to return to work after the investigation by their departments concluded that the shooting was justified. One officer is still waiting for the investigation by his department to finish.
According to an investigator from one department, the incident began when officers saw people throwing items out of the vehicle before attempting to flee from the checkpoint. Police opened fire on the vehicle. After opening fire one of the people in the SUV fell out while still at the checkpoint. The vehicle was still attempting to flee which resulted in a short pursuit of the vehicle. There were a total of three occupants in the vehicle. Two occupants who fled the checkpoint were shot several times.
Officers were able to recover drugs and a weapon at the checkpoint which are believed to be the items that were thrown out of the vehicle. The SBI is still continuing its investigation of the incident.
