WILMINGTON, N.C. – A suspect in two shootings on Thursday was killed in an exchange of gunfire with pursuing law enforcement officers Friday afternoon in Wilmington.
Wilmington Police Chief Donny Williams said at a news conference that officers were searching Friday for a suspect in two Thursday evening shootings that he called random. A woman, 54, was wounded by gunshots as she was walking her dog in the 4200 block of Blake Avenue in one of the incidents, he said.
The suspect was identified Friday as William Brent Gilmore, 35.
Officers on Friday learned that Gilmore's vehicle had been located in Wrightsville Beach, Williams said, after receiving calls of a disturbance at a beach house.
Wrightsville Beach Police Chief David Squires said a cleaning lady was assaulted and restrained in a shed with zip ties. She managed to get out and run to the beach, Squires said, and Gilmore fled.
Officers caught up with Gilmore and used a police maneuver to stop his vehicle, Williams said. Gilmore crashed into a vehicle at Market Street and Lennon Drive, got out and fired at police, Williams said.
Officers returned fire, killing him, Williams said.
The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into officers' use of force, said Ben David, district attorney for New Hanover and Pender counties.