SELMA – Selma Police are searching for several suspects who reportedly opened fire on a police officer. Around 12:31am today (Wednesday), the officer was on patrol in the 900 block of N. Pollock Street when he spotted three to four suspicious males just off the roadway.
The officer stopped his vehicle to check on the individuals. As the officer began to step out of his patrol car, multiple gunshots were fired towards the officer and his cruiser. One bullet struck the passenger side door.
Police Chief W.M. Thomas said the officer immediately fell to the ground to avoid the gunfire. The officer radioed for help, and retreated behind a nearby parked tractor trailer until backup arrived.
Selma Police, Smithfield Police, and the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office set up a perimeter around the area. A Smithfield Police K-9 was unsuccessful in tracking the suspects.
Miracoulously, the police officer was not injured.
Wednesday morning, in the Selma Police Department parking lot, police officers disassembled the door panel on the patrol car and retrieved the bullet. Authorities are unsure exactly how many rounds were fired by the 3 to 4 suspects, who managed to escape apprehension on foot.
“It’s a shame that society has come to this,” Chief Thomas said. “The lack of respect in humanity.”
Mayor Byron McAllister told The Johnston County Report, “The improper use of firearms is unacceptable in Selma and Johnston County. We hold a particular disdain for criminals that threaten Selma Police Department Officers in any way. The swift and powerful response of Johnston County Law Enforcement agencies should be a notice to the perpetrators: The full force of our local law enforcement will be working to bring these criminals to justice. Our citizens know the Town of Selma will not tolerate these foolish acts in our community.”
Anyone with information about the suspects is encouraged to contact Selma Police at 919-965-8189 Extension 2005. A reward will be offered for information leading to arrests in the case. Callers may remain anonymous.
Any nearby residence or business with a security camera that may have captured the shooting, or the suspects fleeing on foot, is encouraged to notify police.
I am so glad the officer is OK, Thank GOD! I hope we locate and put this skum away. Rember, if animals like this are willing to kill a Police Officer then they would not think twice about killing anyone else. These animals need to be caught and caught now! Help the police and you are helping protect yourself.
Try to keep Selma a cleaner place. Drugs lead to these tip of action.
You don’t think that is what they were out there trying to do. Larry, until you get out there and risk your life everyday for the sake of others I’d keep my opinions to myself.
He has a right to express his opinion just the same as you.
@True If you don’t know that there is a HUGE drug problem in Selma, you must have your head buried in the sand. I can almost guarantee that those thugs who shot at the officer where out there dealing drugs. It needs to be stopped….the dealers and the users need to be locked up, away from civil society.