WILMINGTON — Wilmington Police Department officers continue to investigate a shooting that occurred just before noon on Tuesday afternoon in the 400 block of Evans Street.
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Upon arrival, officers located a male victim with life-threatening injuries who was transported to the hospital by EMS.
Spokesperson Brandon Shope said officers had reason to believe the male suspect involved in the shooting was inside a nearby residence. For public safety, a portion of Evans Street was closed and WPD was joined by officers from the New Hanover Sheriff’s Office and the Cape Fear Regional Special Teams Crisis Negotiation Unit.
The negotiation unit attempted to make contact with the suspect from outside the residence. When contact could not be established, the SWAT team deployed a robotic device to visually clear the interior of the residence. After the visual sweep, officers entered the home and determined it was unoccupied.
Currently, the suspect’s location is unknown.
“We are doing everything that we can do at this time to apprehend the suspect,” Shope said at the scene. “Any shooting that occurs within city limits is taken with the utmost seriousness, as is any crime — and, obviously, this is a very violent crime that is going to be investigated thoroughly.”
The investigation is active and ongoing. Detectives in WPD’s criminal investigations unit will remain on the scene to process any evidence in the home and the 400 block of Evans Street where the shooting occurred.
The public is asked to avoid the immediate area. WPD asks anyone with information regarding the shooting to call (910) 343-3600 or use the anonymous Tip 411 app.
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