Sheriff: A man fired at a Fayetteville policeman on leave before trying to hit a car with soldiers, MPs

COUNTY OF SAMPSON, N.C. (WTVD) –

The authorities are investigating the fact that a man allegedly shot at a Fayetteville police officer and then attempted to hit his car in a group of police force agents interviewed shortly thereafter.

According to the Sampson County Sheriff's Office, the incident began just before 9 pm. Monday, October 15th.

Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said the suspect had arrived at the officer's home on leave, that the two men had started arguing and that the suspect had shot at the officer.

"You know, someone at home taking care of their business – they did not know that an individual would show up in their front yard," Thornton said.

The suspect, who was not identified, escaped from the house towards Minnie Hall Road. It is there that the soldiers and deputies arrested him.

They tried to convince the suspect to surrender. Thornton said soldiers and MPs used non-lethal weapons to force the suspect out of his car.

"Certainly, a lot of less than life-threatening methods to get him out of the car, but it was a tough guy," Thornton said.

Eventually, the suspect set foot on the accelerator and tried to push his van with the tow vehicle into the riders and deputies.

The law enforcement officers present at the scene opened fire on the suspect while he was trying to force him. He was taken to the hospital, but investigators say that he will be charged when he is released.

As for the injured officer from Fayetteville, he was taken to the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. His injuries were considered serious, but no other details regarding his condition were published.

The North Carolina Investigation Bureau is participating in the investigation.