Details released about Wilmington officer-involved deadly shooting
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Details have been released surrounding an officer-involved deadly shooting Thursday night in Wilmington.
The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office says a truck and boat on a trailer were stolen from a yard earlier in the day.
An off-duty officer later spotted a vehicle matching the description at the Castle Street boat ramp. But the suspect drove off at a high speed when confronted, nearly hitting detectives on the scene.
A brief chase followed but was called off when speeds reached more than 100 miles per hour due to the threat to public safety.
Enough suspect information was obtained for warrants to be taken out.
Around 11:50 p.m. officers say they once again spotted the vehicle.
They attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the driver didn’t comply, striking a law enforcement vehicle head-on before hitting a telephone pole.
The Sheriff’s Office says the suspect continued to resist, causing multiple detectives to fire into the truck.
“The suspect refused to comply with detectives and actually struck a sheriff’s vehicle head on, causing a very serious crash into the telephone polls,” said District Attorney Ben David at a press conference Friday morning on the shooting.
Detectives immediately rendered medical aid and called for emergency medical services, but the suspect died on the scene.
A loaded firearm was located in the vehicle with the suspect, law enforcement says.
The suspect was later identified as Steven Ryan Todd.
“These were senseless acts of lawlessness that would go against not only our community, but against our law enforcement and I do want to say that I’m very proud of our detectives,” said New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon.
(Photo: NHSO)
The officers involved are currently on paid administrative leave as an independent investigation by the SBI is conducted.
