GASTONIA, N.C. — Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department were shot at while serving a warrant in Gastonia, police said.
The Gastonia Police Department responded to a shots fired call just before 7:20 a.m. along North Falls Street, near West Granite Avenue, where CMPD's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) was serving a warrant for a murder suspect.
While officers were attempting to serve the warrant, someone in a passing car, began shooting at a CMPD vehicle and then started shooting at a house nearby, while the VCAT detective ran for cover.
The car then fled the scene and a police pursuit followed. VCAT detectives were able to locate the suspect, identified as Joseph Crawford, 26, and take him into custody. The pursuit ended at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
No officers fired their weapons during the incident and there were no officers hurt or other injuries reported, police said.
Crawford is charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He faces possible attempted murder of a police officer and eluding charges from Gastonia police.
Gastonia Police are handling this active investigation. WCNC Charlotte has reached out to law enforcement for more information.
Check back here as this story develops and on the WCNC Charlotte app.
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