North Carolina: Officer and suspect wounded amid gunfire

RALEIGH, N.C. – An officer and a suspect were wounded in an exchange of gunfire as police investigated a reported break-in at a North Carolina apartment complex Wednesday, authorities said.

The city of Raleigh said officers responded to reports of a break-in at the apartment compelx just after 2:40 p.m. A news release from the city said the suspect and the officer were taken to a hospital with gunshot wounds.

The extent of the injuries wasn’t immediately clear and a Raleigh police spokesman didn’t respond to messages seeking more information. The identities of the wounded also were not immediately released.

At an apartment complex across the street, bystander Philip Palmer said he heard numerous shots through an open door to his screened-in porch.

“The shots sounded rapid-fire, quite a number of shots,” said Palmer, an automotive student at a community college. The 26-year-old man walked out on his porch and said he had heard people talking loudly and sounding upset. Soon afterward, he saw several police cars arrive.

After the shots, several police vehicles with flashing lights surrounded the area, just south of North Carolina State University. Officers swarmed the area as anxious neighbours stood by for hours. Several blocks were cordoned off by police tape and numerous officers stood guard for much of the afternoon.

State Bureau of Investigation agents are investigating the officer-involved shooting, Special Agent Shannon O’Toole said in an email.

He said he couldn’t provide more details.

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