CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A near seven-hour SWAT situation ended after flash bangs were deployed in east Charlotte Monday evening, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.
The incident happened along Albemarle Road, which was closed in both directions at East W.T. Harris Boulevard, due to an individual armed with a gun, police said.
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Police say that flash bangs were used to distract the subject after he set his weapon down. Reports stated that after those were used, the person regained his firearm and suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound before officers could get to him.
The individual was rushed to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, CMPD said. No officers fired their weapons during the standoff, and officials urged everyone to avoid the area.
“I’m standing there, and they say, ‘Oh, he’s got a gun, and there’s kids walking by here,'” said Jay Sprague, a witness. “I’ve never witnessed something like this firsthand, but the way society is going, I feel like we’re in store for more things like this.”
Just witnessed multiple loud bands around this SWAT situation in Charlotte. Also saw one individual loaded into an ambulance. @Queen_City_News pic.twitter.com/W1y4m4iI4S
— Daniel Pierce (@DanielDPierce) September 11, 2023
Operations Specialist Tom Miner with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools reported:
“Transportation services for several schools have been impacted due to an ongoing law enforcement standoff at the intersection of Albemarle Road and Harris Blvd.”
Miner said the team with CMS Transportation is working to reroute school buses to make afternoon pickup from the schools on Monday.
The following schools experienced transportation delays:
- Albermarle Road ES
- Albermarle Road MS
- Charlotte East Language Academy
- JH Gunn Elementary
- Esperanza Global Academy
- Independence HS
