Joshua Hayden Sikes Obituary, Death; – A police officer from Monroe was shot on Saturday morning in the Charlotte area and is currently in stable condition. The police shot and killed the suspect, who was armed with a rifle and fired upon the officers.
At approximately 1:45 a.m., a police officer noticed a suspicious vehicle on Old Charlotte Highway, close to Rocky River Road, as reported by the Monroe Police Department. The driver accelerated away, prompting Monroe police officers to pursue. After four minutes, the officers deployed stop sticks to conclude the chase on Goldmine Road.
According to police, the suspect then opened fire on the officers, injuring one officer multiple times. The suspect fled into the woods, resulting in a manhunt that utilized a drone, a helicopter, and K9 units.
The suspect was located at 3:52 a.m., as per police reports. When the suspect, who was armed with a rifle, began shooting, the police officers returned fire, resulting in the suspect’s death.
The injured officer was swiftly transported to Atrium Main in Charlotte, where she received treatment for her injuries. The Monroe Police Department confirmed that the officer is in stable condition.
“This suspect intended to kill our officer, and by the grace of God she’s alive right now,” stated Rhett Bolen, chief of the Monroe Police Department. “Everyone on our team followed their training and acted decisively to stop a deadly threat. We stand firmly behind their actions and are grateful that our officer will eventually be able to go home to her family.”
The suspect was later identified as Joshua Hayden Sikes, 18 years old.
The State Bureau of Investigation is overseeing the investigation, which is standard protocol in incidents involving law enforcement shootings.
