WPD: Man assaults officers inside downtown pizza place

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Police say a man faces charges for assaulting officers inside a downtown Wilmington pizza place after he was spotted carrying a handgun inside other area bars.

Wilmington Police say they got a call just after 12:30 a.m. from witnesses who reported seeing a man inside an Irish pub carrying a gun with a group of men. After they got a description of the group, officers say they found the men standing outside of I Love NY Pizza on N. Front Street.

They say when officers approached the group, two of the men went inside and tried to go to the bathroom. That’s when police say they tried to stop the man who was reportedly carrying the gun. They later identified him as Carl Brown, 24.

Police say when they started frisking Brown, he began to fight with the officers, but they eventually were able to disarm him and take him into custody. Police say they also found drugs on Brown when they were arresting him.

During the arrest and scuffle, police say more than one officer sustained minor injuries.

Brown is charged with two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting officers, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon and selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a park. He is in the New Hanover County Jail under $100,000 secured bond.