Yesterday afternoon, a deadly encounter with police occurred after an armed robbery, a police chase, and a hostage situation inside a small grill.
According to Gaston County police, it all began when officers received a call about a woman who was robbed at gunpoint at an HVAC business off Earl Road. The suspect took the woman’s cellphone, wedding ring, and cash, then fled the scene.
Officers used GPS tracking from the stolen cell phone to find the suspect in Cherryville. The suspect then fled in a vehicle and eventually crashed near the intersection of NC 279 and Dick Beam Road.
Shots were fired and the suspect fled on foot, evading police.
I’m following police from several departments that swamped roads around Cherryville. They suddenly moved their search for an armed suspect to Tryon Courthouse Road. Cleveland County Sheriff’s investigators say a man robbed a woman of her wedding ring, cash and phone. pic.twitter.com/APf56igcku
— Ken (@kenlemonWSOC9) November 18, 2021
Officers then received word the suspect was inside the Creekside Community Market in Bessemer City.
The armed suspect took hostages inside the store and Gaston County Police fired shots, resulting in fatal injuries to the suspect.
Update: 1 man is killed in an officer involved shooting near Bessemer City. Gaston County Police say the man took hostages at Creekside Grill. Officers fired shots killing him. No officers or people were hurt. Earlier officers fired shots at the robbery suspect in Cherryville. pic.twitter.com/wstXYhmMXr
— Ken (@kenlemonWSOC9) November 19, 2021
No officers or hostages were injured during the encounter.
If you have any additional information about this incident, please call Gaston County Police Detective T. Pilkington at 704-866-3320 or Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000.