Teen accused of shooting at officer during police chase along I-77

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — Two teenagers were taken into custody after a breaking and entering call in Iredell County led to a police chase early Wednesday morning.

Police said a neighbor reported someone was breaking into a vehicle in the Waterlynn Ridge neighborhood in Mooresville.

When officers got to the area, they saw two vehicles matching the description given by the 911 caller speeding away.

Authorities said officers followed one of the two vehicles after trying to pull them both over. Neither driver stopped and a chase started on Highway 21 in Troutman before the suspect vehicle then drove onto Interstate 77.

Officials said the pursuit lasted about 20 miles.

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deployed stop sticks along southbound I-77 near Exit 35 in hopes of ending the chase. Officials said the driver then sideswiped a police cruiser and fired shots at the officer.

Other officers were able to use their patrol cars to end the chase and take the 17-year-old driver and his 17-year-old passenger into custody, officials said.

No injuries were reported.

Mooresville police said the 17-year-old driver is being charged as an adult. His name was not released.

He was charged with felony speeding to elude, assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill on a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and conspiracy to commit the breaking and entering of a motor vehicle.

Authorities said they are still searching for the second vehicle involved.

All southbound lanes of I-77 were closed around 4 a.m. near Williamson Road, Exit 33, in Mooresville. The road has since reopened.

>> Reporter Dave Faherty will have much more on this investigation starting at 5 p.m. on Channel 9.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

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