A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer has been placed on administrative leave after he shot a teenage boy Saturday night. Police say the teen had a gun.
The incident began at 8:30 Saturday night, when police responded to a 911 call complaining of a large teen party taking place on the 900 block of North Tryon street. Twelve minutes later 911 operators received another call saying gunshots were heard a few blocks away. And the caller reported some teens were attempting to hide guns in their clothing.
In a statement police say Officer Paul Quinichett with the Metro division, and other officers saw a male subject with a firearm. When ordered to drop the weapon the male, believed to be 14 or 15 years old, refused to do so and Officer Quinichett opened fire. At a press conference Saturday night, part of which was carried by Time Warner Cable News, Chief Rodney Monroe of the CMPD said, "three to four shots were fired striking the individual in the lower leg and the wrist." None of the injuries were considered life threatening.
The teen was then taken to Carolinas Medical Center for treatment.
As is standard, Officer Quinichett will remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of an Internal Affairs investigation into the shooting.
