Police say a man at the SWAT facility in West Charlotte on Tuesday afternoon is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at gunpoint.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s SWAT team was in west Charlotte on Tuesday afternoon after someone barricaded themselves inside the home. It happened in Columbus Circle, which is just off Freedom Trail.
By about 2:00 p.m., the situation appeared to be resolved. Police said the confrontation with the officers lasted for six hours and ended after the suspect shot himself.
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CMPD said the suspect at the center is wanted on felony charges in a sexual assault case. Investigators said they tried to contact him before 8 a.m. on Tuesday, but when they got to his home, he was barricaded inside.
CMPD said that while he was inside the house, officers unsuccessfully tried to negotiate with him. They even coordinated with the suspect’s family and an outside agency to try to resolve the crisis peacefully. Eventually, they were able to issue arrest warrants against him in connection with the reported sexual assault.
Just after 2 p.m. on Tuesday, officers heard gunfire inside the house. When they entered with the paramedic, they found that the suspect had shot himself and they also found a gun nearby. And there was no one else in the house.
Also read: CMPD increases its presence on city green roads after sexual assault was reported
Police said the suspect was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Channel 9 obtained a copy of the police report related to the incident. The video shows a 47-year-old woman forced into a car at gunpoint, taken to an unknown location and raped at gunpoint.
The accident was reported near a gas station on Betty Ford Road around 10 p.m. on Monday. The victim was taken to the hospital with bruises and scratches.
Investigators are still trying to determine if the suspect and the victim knew each other.
The police have not yet revealed the identity of the suspect.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
(Watch below: Woman involved in SWAT operation, now accused of stabbing nurse with pen)
