Chase suspect facing multiple felony charges including assault with a deadly weapon

Ten charges ranging from felony assault with a deadly weapon to misdemeanor driving while impaired were filed against a Greenville man who led law enforcement on a high-speed chase before a state trooper shot him last weekend.

Kenneth Charles Kinard, 35, 905 Allen Road, also is facing multiple arrest warrants from the Commonwealth of Virginia for probation violation, grand larceny and drug possession.

The local charges filed against Kindard stem from an incident that began at 7:04 a.m. May 11 when a State Highway Patrol trooper patrolling on I-587 near the Wilson and Greene County line clocked a burgundy 2023 Kia Carnival traveling east at 90 mph in a 70 mph zone, the patrol reported.

The trooper activated lights and sirens but the driver later identified as Kinard did not stop, the patrol reported. The trooper initiated a pursuit that continued until the vehicle exited onto U.S. 258 and continued into Farmville.

The vehicle made an abrupt stop at the intersection of U.S. 258 at Bynum Drive, the patrol said. Kinard exited his car and ran.

The trooper ran after Kinard through a residential area and into an open field. Kinard stopped, turned, and pointed a handgun at the trooper, the patrol said. The trooper fired, striking Kinard multiple times in the leg.

Kinard was detained and aid was immediately rendered, the patrol said.

A female passenger surrendered without incident and was not injured.

Kinard was treated at ECU Health and later jailed at the Pitt County Detention Center under a $300,000 bond.

The trooper was unharmed.

Kinard gave his Greenville address to the detention center but the highway patrol has its listed as a Virginia Beach address.

Kinard had multiple warrants for his arrest from the state of Virginia including contempt of court (failure to appear) for probation violation, possession of schedule I and II drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and three counts of felony grand larceny.

A firearm along with illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia were recovered from the scene. The local charges, which were filed Sunday, are assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, malicious conduct by a prisoner, assault on a government official/employee, fleeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, felony possession of schedule I controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a felon, speeding, failure to heed a light or siren, driving with license revoked and driving while impaired.

The trooper involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative duty and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident.