Man shot by police after firing at officers at Catawba County apartments
The shooting happened at the Catawba Pines Apartments in Newton.
NEWTON, N.C. (WBTV) - Officers shot a man after he fired at them in Catawba County on Monday night, the Newton Police Department said.
The shooting happened around 11:40 p.m. after police responded to a 911 caller’s hang-up at the Catawba Pines Apartments on East First Street.
Once at the apartment complex, police said the officers were met by “numerous noncomplying subjects.” While they were attempting to find the 911 caller, a man -- later identified as 24-year-old Keon Jamez Leach -- brandished a gun.
Police said they ordered Leach to drop the gun, but he then fired several shots at officers. They said after a brief standoff, the officers returned fire, hitting Leach and sending him to the ground.
He was taken to Catawba Valley Medical Center before being airlifted to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
Once Leach is released from the hospital, police say he’ll be charged with four felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill and four felony counts of assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm.
The officers involved in the shooting were not injured and have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Newton Police at 828-465-7430.
Related: Police: Man shot to death in downtown Newton, suspect charged
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