CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A woman who was shot by a police officer after she tried to repeatedly run him over with her vehicle in south Charlotte Thursday afternoon is facing charges, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.
Authorities responded to the scene during rush hour on Tyvola Road near South Boulevard for reports of a woman firing shots at the owner of EC Beauty Supply inside the store.
Once police got to the store, the woman, 23-year-old Raynique Austin, attempted to hit an officer who was on a motorcycle. Officials said the officer tried his best to avoid her vehicle, but ended up having to fire shots, striking Austin.
Jennings said the officer was left with no other choice but to shoot.
“He made every effort to get away from the vehicle,” CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said Thursday. “A couple of times were very close to hitting the officer.”
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Austin then tried to leave the scene, leading authorities on a vehicle chase before she was taken into custody near 7700 Cedar Creek Lane, seven miles away.
“I do hope this female is going to be OK and get whatever help she needs,” Jennings said. “However, our officer was in a very dangerous situation and by the grace of God, he was not injured or killed.” Jennings said.
Police said Austin was shot several times and was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. As of Friday morning, officials said she is in stable condition.
“This is one of those situations we never want it to end this way,” Jennings said.
One Austin is released from the hospital, police said she will be charged with attempted murder, five counts of hit-and-run, flee to elude arrest and damage to property.
A firearm was in her car at the scene, according to authorities.
No police officers were injured.
Channel 9′s Mark Becker spoke to a man Friday who was working in his office in the building next door to EC Beauty Supply at the time of the incident.
“I came to the door and I seen the girl outside waving the gun around,” said Matt Stewart. “She was kind of waving the gun at them, and pointing the gun at them, and she heard the sirens and jumped in her car and tried to leave.”
When the officer pulled up moments later, Stewart said she turned on him.
“He laid his bike down and she was up in that grassy area, basically trying to run him over, and um, he didn’t really have a choice -- he had to open fire on her,” Stewart said.
He said he counted four or five shots.
Authorities haven’t said what sparked the incident. Stewart couldn’t explain it either, but said with other businesses open and a day care next door, it could have been a real tragedy.
“I don’t know how many kids they had over there but there was a bunch of kids over there. And thank God nobody got hurt. It was a scene for sure,” he said.
Becker also spoke with the owner of the beauty supply store, who said Austin was trying to buy earrings when she got upset, started knocking over shelves and went to her car, got a gun and started shooting in the air.
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Jennings said there is video of the incident that he has already reviewed.
CMPD said Officer Dustin Smith was the police officer involved. Following standard procedure, he was placed on paid administrative leave.
The SBI is investigating the shooting.
Return to this story for updates.
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