NEWTON GROVE – The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office has released two 911 calls made Tuesday afternoon by a citizen and radio traffic from Newton Grove Police Chief Greg Warren involving the shooting of a sexual assault and kidnapping suspect.
The incident begins at the Dollar General in Newton Grove when the alleged rape victim is sitting alone in a car outside the store. According to the caller, the victim asked the citizen to call 911 saying she was sexually assaulted and to call for help. The suspect, Michael Almer Rich, 49, of Isaac Weeks Road, Clinton exits the store and leaves with the woman in a silver car.
The 911 caller gives the 911 dispatcher a description of the car and the direction they are traveling. Police are initially unable to find the car until the citizen calls 911 a second time saying the vehicle had stopped outside Sam’s Circle Mart.
Police Chief Warren confronts Rich in the parking lot. Rich, who is reportedly armed with a gun, is shot in the chest by the officer.
On Thursday, the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating the sexual assault, obtained felony warrants against Michael Rich for first degree kidnapping, first degree sexual offense, breaking and entering, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Authorities said the victim was held at gunpoint by Rich and forced to leave her residence with him. While in Newton Grove she was able to alert a citizen she was in distress.
The officer involved shooting is being investigated by the NC State Bureau of Investigation.
The name of the victim is being withheld. The suspect remains hospitalized. The hospital location is also being withheld because of security reason.
Wonder how a Social Worker would have handled that situation?
Can’t wait to see the body cam footage….
Crime must be punished…