CMPD officer shoots, kills man in domestic violence call in north Charlotte

CHARLOTTE — A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer shot and killed a suspect while responding to a domestic violence call in north Charlotte Friday morning.

It happened just after midnight Friday in an apartment on Roundstone Way, located between Reames Road and I-77.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said officers responded to the call, heard a commotion, and went inside.

“When they got inside, they saw an imminent threat to the female that was inside and the officer discharged his firearm striking the suspect,” CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said.

The suspect died at the apartment.

The woman was stabbed multiple times and was rushed to a hospital.

Her injuries were life-threatening. No officers were hurt.

“Officers have to respond to these scenes they have no clue to what they are going to be stepping into,” Jennings said regarding the dangers of responding to domestic violence calls.

The suspect’s name has not been released yet.

The officer who fired their gun is on paid administrative leave while the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation looks into the incident.

“We answer hundreds and hundreds of domestic violence calls a year,” Chief Jennings said.

This is the second domestic violence call that ended in a deadly police shooting this week.

WHAT HAPPENED EARLIER IN THE WEEK: Police shoot, kill suspect who stabbed police officer in South End

In both officer-involved shootings, the victims were being assaulted and in one of the incidents, a cop got stabbed in the neck.

‘There is help’

The issue of domestic violence is front and center for a lot of people because of these high-profile incidents.

“Where there is a flood of events like this, it comes to light, but one in four women in their lifetime will be a victim,” said Ron Kimble, an advocate.

Kimble and his wife, Jan, formed the Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage.

They have been fighting to prevent domestic violence since their daughter, Jamie, was murdered by an ex-boyfriend in 2012.

“If you would have asked me would this happen to my family? I would have said absolutely not, but it did,” he said.

Domestic violence has also touched the life of Susan Barber.

“One thing I want people to know is there is help and not to be afraid,” Barber said.

Her 15-year-old daughter, Tiffany Wright, was murdered in 2009. A family member was arrested, but those charges were later dropped.

“She was a very loving daughter,” Barber said. “She loved to read. She had a goal. She was ambitious. She was funny, smart.”

“People who don’t understand this issue simply say, ‘Why didn’t she just leave?’” Kimble said. “It isn’t that simple. It’s a complicated, convoluted, twisted, psychological kind of relationship that doesn’t bear logic a lot of times.”

Kimble said to be a good listener and don’t nag if a family member or friend may be struggling with the issue.

He has advice for victims, which is to think ahead.

“If you leave, you need to have a safety plan,” Kimble said. “Change your email. Change your cellphone number. Don’t let them know where you are. Get off Facebook.”

“My heart, it bleeds,” Barber said. “My heart is heavy any time you hear about anybody losing their life.”

Kimble said it’s important to start teaching teens while they are young about healthy relationships and the types of behavior both physical and verbal that cross the line.

The 24-hour Domestic Violence Crisis Hotline is 980-771-HOPE.

The investigation into this case is active and ongoing. Check wsoctv.com for updates.

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