Off-Duty Charlotte Police Officer Confronts Suspect Accused of Shooting at Passing Vehicles
What to Know
- An off-duty CMPD officer responded to gunfire incidents on North Tryon Street involving at least two vehicles.
- The suspect, Jarod Starks, was identified and charged with multiple serious offenses, including assault with a firearm and attempted armed robbery.
- A coordinated response from multiple law enforcement agencies led to the suspect's safe surrender after a brief standoff.
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — An off-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) officer working a security assignment for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) was forced to confront an armed suspect Saturday afternoon after being flagged down by a victim whose vehicle had just been struck by gunfire on North Tryon Street.
According to CMPD, the officer was patrolling near the 2300 block of North Tryon Street shortly before 5 p.m. on June 20 when a victim reported that an individual standing along the roadway had fired at least one round into an occupied vehicle.
The victim directed the officer to a man believed to be responsible for the shooting. As the officer attempted to make contact, he encountered what police described as an imminent deadly threat. The officer discharged his service weapon at least once but did not strike the suspect.
The suspect fled on foot into a nearby business and barricaded himself inside. All occupants were safely evacuated before responding officers established a perimeter around the building.
CMPD said officers from multiple divisions, including the department's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, responded to the scene along with personnel from the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, Charlotte Fire Department and MEDIC. Investigators used surveillance technology and de-escalation tactics during the incident.
After a brief standoff, the suspect voluntarily surrendered without further incident.
As the investigation continued, detectives identified the suspect as Jarod Starks, 37. Starks was arrested at the scene and later transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office after being released from a local hospital.
Starks has been charged with:
- Felony assault with a firearm on a government official
- Possession of a firearm by a felon
- Shooting into an occupied vehicle
- Three counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill
- Attempted armed robbery
- Going armed to the terror of the public
"We do have at least two individuals that were victims, two separate individuals, two separate vehicles that were shot into," Koch said during a media briefing.
Investigators do not believe the victims knew the suspect.
No community members were injured during the incident. The officer and suspect were transported to a local hospital as a precaution.
CMPD's Homicide Unit is leading the criminal investigation, while the department's Internal Affairs Bureau is conducting a parallel administrative review, consistent with department policy following an officer-involved shooting.
The officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.