WILMINGTON — The Wilmington Police Department and a suspect, now apprehended, exchanged gunfire on Friday morning.
Shots were fired near the BP gas station on South College Road. Police presence remain on the scene, where caution tape surrounds the perimeter.
WPD Lt. Greg Willet told Port City Daily the department got a call from a citizen reporting a “panhandler” at Randall Parkway. The WPD reports the man has been known to display a weapon at officers in the past.
As officers arrived, police said the man’s hands were in his pockets before he fled toward the BP gas station. He then displayed a gun, prompting officers to command the individual drop his weapon.
He refused while also threatening to shoot the officers. The suspect then opened fire at the officers, who returned shots fired.
Neither the suspect nor officers were struck during the incident and law enforcement was able to take the suspect into custody without further problems.
WPD officers identified the suspect as 69-year-old Edwin Leroy Vaughan of Wilmington. He has been charged with two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm.
The WPD says more charges are forthcoming.
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