NC trooper shoots gunman after high-speed chase near Wilson County, officials say

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT/WNCN) — The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating a shooting after a high-speed chase that began at the edge of Wilson County Saturday morning, officials said.

On Saturday, just after 7 a.m., officials said a member of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol was checking for speeders on Interstate 587 at mile marker 40 near the Wilson and Greene County line.

Officials said the trooper saw a burgundy 2023 Kia Carnival traveling east on I-587 at a high rate of speed — at over 90 mph in a 70-mph zone.

The trooper initiated emergency equipment and the driver failed to stop, which then led to a chase. Officials said the chase went east on I-587 until the driver exited onto U.S. 258 (Farmville Exit), and then traveled south on US-258 into Farmville. The chase ended when the Kia made an abrupt stop and the driver fled on foot at the intersection of U.S. 258 at Bynum Drive.

The trooper chased the driver on foot through a neighborhood and into an open field. The suspect stopped, turned and pointed a gun at the trooper, officials said.

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The trooper then fired, striking the suspect at least twice in the leg, officials said.

The suspect, identified as Kenneth Charles Kinard, 35, of Lookout Road in Virginia Beach, Va., was secured, and medical aid was immediately given, according to a news release from the N.C. State Highway Patrol. A female passenger who was also in the Kia surrendered without incident and was not injured.

The suspect was transported to ECU Health Medical Center by Pitt County EMS, where he was receiving care for his injuries. The trooper was not hurt.

Officials said Kinard had multiple warrants for his arrest from the state of Virginia to include:

• Contempt of court (FTA) for probation violation
• Possession of Schedule I and II drugs
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• 3 counts of felony grand larceny

A gun, drugs and drug paraphernalia were recovered from the scene, the news release said. Charges against Kinard in North Carolina were expected to be filed, troopers said.

The trooper has been placed on active administrative duty and an investigation by the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation is being conducted, officials said Saturday evening.

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