Joseph Crawford: suspect who shot at CMPD VCAT identified, in custody

GASTONIA, NC — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team(VCAT) was serving a warrant for a homicide suspect in Gastonia when a suspect in a car fired shots at them.

It happened in the 500 block of North Falls Street around 7:18 a.m.

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Police said once VCAT arrived on the scene, a suspect in a vehicle started firing rounds at a CMPD vehicle. They fired more shots at a nearby house as the VCAT detective ran for cover.

Authorities said no officers were hit by gunfire.

The suspect fled the scene and officers engaged in a pursuit, according to CMPD.

Officers later identified 26-year-old Joseph Sherman Crawford as their suspect.

Police said he was taken into custody after VCAT detectives located Crawford and the vehicle.

No CMPD officers fired their service weapons during the incident, according to police.