CHARLOTTE — A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer shot and killed an armed man Friday afternoon along LaSalle Street near Newland Road in north Charlotte, police said.
Officers were responding to a 911 call regarding a disturbance at approximately 2:42 p.m. when they observed an unrelated group nearby engaged in what appeared to be a criminal transaction.
Preliminary information indicates one individual in the group saw officers and immediately began walking away. Officers issued multiple commands for the man to stop before he ran away on foot, prompting a foot pursuit.
During the chase, the man produced a firearm, creating what officers perceived as an imminent deadly threat. One officer fired their service weapon, striking the man and causing him to fall to the ground.
Officers immediately began rendering medical aid until Medic personnel arrived at the scene. Emergency responders took over care and transported the man to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police recovered a firearm at the scene and no officers were injured during the encounter. The State Bureau of Investigation has taken over as the lead investigative agency, consistent with standard procedure for shootings involving police officers.
A woman told Channel 9 that her nephew was the one shot.
“Very sad this happened,” said Angela Steele, the aunt. “He should have never been shot in the back. It’s other alternatives than dealing with these guns. Put them down. Leave them alone. My nephew never bothered people like that.”
The aunt said her nephew had a gun on him, but he didn’t threaten officers.
No additional details have been made available.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.