North Carolina Deputy Fatally Shoots Suspect While Being Dragged By Fleeing Vehicle

Correction: This article initial noted that the state was South Carolina. The incident occurred in North Carolina.

Lincolnton, NC – A Lincoln County deputy fatally shot a suspect who dragged him through a field while trying to flee a traffic stop over the weekend.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:19 a.m. on Feb. 5, when Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Deputy J.E. Brown stopped the driver of a 2001 Honda Accord in the 1700-block of Wollie Road, the Hickory Daily Record reported.

Deputy Brown was standing inside the open driver’s door of the suspect’s vehicle when the suspect suddenly hit the accelerator and tried to flee, dragging the deputy along with him, the LCSO said in a press release.

“While being dragged while inside the open driver’s side door, the deputy drew his service weapon and fired striking the suspect,” the sheriff’s office said.

Deputy Brown was thrown from the vehicle during the melee.

The Honda continued on a short distance and slammed into a tree.

Deputies immediately rendered aid to the injured suspect, but he died at the scene, the LCSO said.

He was later identified as 38-year-old Michael Shane Carver, the Hickory Daily Record reported.

Deputy Brown suffered injuries to his back and neck, LCSO Major Matthew Lykins told the paper.

Additional details regarding his condition were not released.

“This is a tragic event for both the family of the suspect and officers involved in the incident,” the sheriff’s office said.

Deputy Brown has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the shooting investigation, the Hickory Daily Record reported.

The LCSO said Carver had a lengthy criminal history and was the subject of an outstanding warrant at the time of the traffic stop.

The incident was also captured on bodycam.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is handling the ongoing investigation into the incident.