Wednesday, February 19, 2025

SBI to investigate WPD use of force in search warrant execution

One officer was shot in the vest and a suspect was transported to the hospital after the Wilmington Police Department executed a search warrant at 11th and Dawson streets Wednesday. (Port City Daily/file photo)

WILMINGTON — One officer was shot in the vest and a suspect was transported to the hospital after the Wilmington Police Department executed a search warrant at 11th and Dawson streets Wednesday.

WPD Chief Donny Williams told reporters on Wednesday that Cape Fear Regional SWAT and crisis negotiators convened to execute a “high-risk search warrant” in the 900 block of S. 11th St. He said the action was part of an ongoing narcotic investigation the WPD has been conducting over the last month.

In the process of initiating the search, Williams said the suspect fired rounds, one of which struck an officer in the vest. The officer was not seriously injured. Williams said law enforcement returned fire and “critically wounded” the suspect, who was then transported to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

The chief has also requested the State Bureau of Investigations look into the WPD’s use of force in Wednesday’s incident.

The WPD believe the event to be an isolated incident and as of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, police were on the scene with SBI investigators.

They found 416 dosage units of fentanyl, 18.75 grams cocaine, 76 dosage usage of Xanax, and a gun.

By 2:30 p.m. the WPD released the suspect’s name: ​27-year-old Malik Samuell Thompson. He is in critical condition at Novant. WPD said Thompson has a prior criminal history, including assault and firearms-related charges.

The investigation remains ongoing.


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