CAROLINA BEACH — Police have identified a man involved in a weekend shooting at the Dolphin Lane Motel (318 N Carolina Beach Ave.) on Pleasure Island.
Robert Travis Fitts was sent to the hospital on July 2, right after midnight, with life-threatening injuries. According to Sgt. Colby Edens of the Carolina Beach Police Department, the 41-year-old male is in stable condition.
READ MORE: SBI investigates shooting at Carolina Beach motel
“He is not under arrest at this point,” Edens said, noting the offender remains in the hospital recovering. He could not speak as to why Fritts hasn’t been arrested, citing an ongoing investigation with the State Bureau of Investigation.
According to the sergeant, two officers were serving Fitts felony warrants, though how many is unclear at this time.
The officers were not injured in the incident and have been put on administrative leave, as is protocol when an officer-involved shooting takes place.
“As to any information that led up to the shooting, we’re not putting it out right now,” Edens said. “That will come out and in coming days.”
He said the department is working in tandem with the New Hanover County District Attorney’s office and the SBI and likely will give an update by the end of the week.
Edens verified Fitts is from Wilmington. Previous arrest records show he has been charged with a litany of drug infractions, both felonies and misdemeanors. The last took place in March 2021 at a Market Street motel and included possession of a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver, among other charges.
Fitts has served probation and time in county jail on and off since 2000.
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