An armed man died after being shot by an officer outside a hospital in Mooresville, North Carolina. The man, identified as Robert William Berry, had threatened self-harm and was holding a firearm when confronted by police. The officer fired five shots in response, resulting in the man’s death. The incident is under investigation by the NC State Bureau. Ciara Lankford reported
Armed Man Shot and Killed by Officer Outside Mooresville Hospital
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday morning when an armed man was fatally shot multiple times by a police officer outside Lake Norman Regional Medical Center in Mooresville.
The incident, which occurred at 3:44 a.m. on November 8, began with reports of a distressed individual, identified as 56-year-old Robert William Berry, informing hospital staff of his intention to harm himself in his vehicle parked on the facility’s premises.
Responding to the distress call, officers arrived at the hospital to find Berry outside his vehicle in the parking lot, armed with a firearm. Mooresville Police issued repeated commands for Berry to drop his weapon, to which he initially complied, placing the gun on the ground.
However, Berry soon picked up the firearm again, posing a threat to the officers. In response, one officer discharged their service weapon five times, injuring Berry. Despite receiving immediate medical care, Berry succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
As per standard procedure, the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated further. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case to conduct an independent review of the deadly officer-involved shooting.
This tragic event highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in handling mental health crises, as well as the complex decisions they must make in potentially life-threatening situations. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for comprehensive mental health support and intervention strategies within our communities.
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