KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — A 33-year-old man is dead after an exchange of gunfire with officers investigating internet crimes against children and child sex predators, authorities say.

What You Need To Know

  • A joint operation by the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office and Kannapolis Police Department targets internet crimes against children and child sex predators

  • Officers on Wednesday tried to arrest a 33-year-old man who thought he was meeting a 15-year-old girl for sex

  • The suspect resisted arrest and fired a weapon at officers, who returned fire, authorities said

  • The suspect died on the scene 

The suspect went to Kannapolis, N.C., on Wednesday afternoon believing he was meeting a 15-year-old girl for sex, according to a joint press release by the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office and Kannapolis Police Department.

Officers tried arrest him, but he resisted, pulling out a weapon and firing at them, the press release stated.

Officers from both agencies returned fire. No officers involved were hurt, but the suspect was pronounced dead on the scene.

The officers involved are on administrative leave, following standard protocol for any officer-involved shooting.

The suspect’s name has not been released. Investigators are waiting for the family to be notified.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is looking into the incident.