DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - An off-duty North Carolina police officer shot and wounded a suspect who charged at him while the officer was investigating an apparent shooting, according to a report released Thursday.
C.T. Strickland had just arrived home from his job as a Durham Police Department recruiting officer May 1 when he heard gunshots at the apartment complex where he lived and also worked as a courtesy officer, The News & Observer reported, citing a preliminary report from Durham’s police chief.
Strickland reported seeing a suspect identified as Wesley Watkins, 27, and another man standing near a wounded victim on a second-story walkway, the report stated. The off-duty officer displayed his gun and ordered the men to lie on the ground, according to the report.
The men came downstairs and initially complied before Watkins rose and charged toward Strickland, who shot and struck him, investigators determined. Watkins remained in the hospital Thursday.
The victim seen lying in the walkway was pronounced dead and identified as Watkins’ roommate, Daniel Pressley, officials said in the report.
Police said Watkins confessed to shooting Pressley and told investigators he knew Strickland was a police officer and wanted the officer to kill him, the report stated.
Watkins was charged with murder, Chief C.J. Davis said in the report.
Strickland was placed on administrative duties as the state Bureau of Investigation reviewed the shooting.
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