Officials: Teen involved in officer-involved shooting out of hospital

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 14-year-old boy has been released from the hospital after he was shot several times by a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer.
 
Investigators said the boy was armed with a gun, and they're trying to determine how he got it.

Read our past coverage:

• CMPD chief on teen shot by officer: Parents need to be aware
• CMPD: Teen injured in officer-involved shooting near uptown

Police received a 911 call Saturday night about reported shots fired near North Tryon Street. They said Officer Paul Quinichett saw a 14-year-old boy holding a gun.
 
The officer ordered him to drop the weapon, and when he refused, Quinichett shot the teen at least three times.
 
Channel 9 spoke with veteran Officer Steven Graham about this weekend's shooting. He's been patrolling Charlotte's streets for over 20 years.
 
He said officers only have a split second to make the decision whether to use deadly force.

IMAGES: Scene on North Tryon of officer-involved shooting
 
"If you're dealing with someone with their hands in their pockets, we don't know what they have in their pockets. 'What happens if a gun comes out?" Graham said.
 
Channel 9 checked with CMPD and found in 2014, officers discharged their Tasers 49 times.
 
Graham said he's also equipped with pepper spray and a tactical baton.
 
He said the decision to pull his gun ultimately depends on the situation in front of him. Police said charges are pending against the 14-year-old.

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