ALBEMARLE — Albemarle Police Chief Danny Bowen says that a suspect stood up through a car’s sunroof and fired a rifle at one of his officers in a police cruiser. According to a release from the Albemarle Police Department, Officer Blake Evans was trying to stop a vehicle on Sunday that matched the description from an earlier shooting.
The police department had received a call about a possible shooting that took place on T.E. White Drive near Elizabeth Avenue around noon on Sunday. As Officers arrived, they found a crashed gold, 2002 Chevrolet truck with no driver. The truck had a bullet hole in the passenger side of the door. A short time later, a person walked up claiming to be the driver of the truck but would not give officers information about the shooting. According to the police report, neighbors in the area said someone driving a black Lexus was shooting at the truck.
That information was sent out to other officers in the area, and Officer Evans made contact with a black Lexus on NC 24/27 near Taco Bell. As Evans turned on his blue lights and siren, a passenger in the black Lexus stood up through the sunroof and began shooting at the officer with a high-powered rifle. The officer’s vehicle was struck in three places. Officer Evans was not injured.
The Albemarle Police Department identified one suspect as Jeremiah Devon McDougald of 79 Pinehollow Dr., Broadway, N.C. They obtained warrants for McDougald on Tuesday evening for for various charges, including Felony attempted first degree murder, Felony possession of a firearm by a felon, and Felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. If you know the whereabouts of McDougald call 911 or the Albemarle Police Department at 704-984-9500. Albemarle Police advise that McDougald should be considered armed and dangerous.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
