UPDATE: 7 deputies on leave, 2 injured after shooting at checkpoint

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — A shooting around midnight Friday at a DWI checkpoint along Highway 17 in Leland involved seven deputies and two suspects who were taken to the hospital.

Late this afternoon, a spokeswoman for the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office reported that Antoine Levar Graham, 25, of Mimosa Trail, in Leland, is charged with 10 counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, 10 counts of AWDW on a government official, one count of fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, one count of felony conspiracy, one count of possessing marijuana up to 1/2 oz and one count of possessing drug paraphernalia.

Jerry Onasis Melvin,42, of Isabelle Trail in Leland, is charged with eight counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, eight counts of AWDW on a government official and one count of felony conspiracy (for speeding to elude).

Both are in fair condition according to a hospital spokeswoman.

The deputies involved are Cpl. Brian Medlin, Dep. Joe Cherry, Dep. John Rogers and Dep. Larry Branch from Brunswick County, as well as Sgt. M. Fike, Dep. J. Maroldt and Dep. J. Spivey from New Hanover County. The Brunswick County Deputies have been placed on administrative duty while New Hanover County Deputies have been placed on administrative leave with pay.

Both the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s office are conducting internal investigations. The State Bureau of Investigation has also been called in to investigate, and the State Highway Patrol has filed charges against the suspects.

Brunswick County has asked the SBI to take the lead on the investigation because it was a shooting that involved multiple agencies. As of Saturday evening, the SBI has not released any information about what caused it.

Brunswick County District Attorney Jon David said he joined Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram in requesting the SBI handle the case. David said one of his assistants was at the checkpoint and was a witness to what happened. As a result, David said he’s not sure how his office may be involved in the case. He said he plans to contact the Attorney General’s Office to help figure out if the DA’s office has a conflict of interest in the case.

Melvin is being held at the Brunswick County Detention Facility under a $250,000 secured bond.

Stay with WWAY NewsChannel 3 for more details as they become available.