NEWTON GROVE, N.C. – The Sampson County district attorney said a shooting by Newton Grove's police chief on June 15 was justified.

District Attorney Ernie Lee identified the suspect as Michael Rich, 48, and said the officer who shot him is Police Chief Gregory Warren. 

Rich is charged with first-degree kidnapping, first-degree sex offense, felony breaking and entering, and possession of a firearm.

Lee confirmed in a press release that Warren responded to a 911 call related to a kidnapping and sexual assault case. According to the release, an abducted woman flagged down the eventual 911 caller in the parking lot of the nearby Dollar General, saying she was being held against her will and had been sexually assaulted.

When the chief arrived at the parking lot outside the Sam’s Circle Mart, the convenience store where the shooting occurred, he spotted a woman sitting in a silver Ford Focus hatchback, which matched the victim’s description of Rich’s car. 

Lee said Warren walked over to the woman in the passenger seat and then went into the convenience store. Shortly after, Rich walked out of the store’s front door and the chief asked to talk with him. Despite attempts to learn what was going on, the DA said Rich focused on his car and turned away from Warren to walk toward the Ford Focus.

A video recording, given to Spectrum News 1 on June 15, shows that Warren tried to stop Rich from getting closer and put his hand on the suspect’s shoulder. 

Surveillance video showed Rich reached for his gun only feet away from the police chief. Warren pulled his service weapon and fired three rounds into Rich’s body, once in the chest and twice in the right side.

A month later, Lee said he “found Rich’s actions caused Chief Newton to reasonably believe it necessary to use deadly force to protect his life.” 

A deputy with Sampson County Sheriff's Office said the incident happened at 2:40 p.m. on June 15. 

Rich remains in jail while receiving ongoing medical treatment for his wounds.