Massive police presence after officer shoots suspect in stomach near Bojangles

HENDERSON, NC — A police officer shot a suspect in the stomach outside a Bojangles in Henderson Wednesday night, officials said.

Henderson police responded to a call around 8:00 p.m. near Bojangles on Andrews. Ave.

Police say the suspect brandished a firearm while inside the vehicle. According to officials, the officer engaged in a fight, shooting at the suspect and hitting him in the lower abdomen. The suspect then got out of the car and tried to run away, but was apprehended by police officers.

There was a very large police presence at the scene, with at least a dozen police cars flashing blue lights along the road. Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow was on the scene, officials said.

Video from the scene showed the reaction of a crowd of witnesses, many of whom reacted angrily to the incident.

“We were taught growing up that law enforcement is here to help us,” Mayor Eddie Ellington said in response to the incident. “For anyone to pull a firearm on a law enforcement officer is blatantly disrespectful and, unfortunately, a sign of the times in which we live. These men and women put their lives on the line every day.”

According to officials, the district prosecutor’s office will be involved in the investigation.

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