Raleigh, NC: A Raleigh police shot is recovering after what was described as minor injuries. The incident happened around 7:10 p.m. in the 7100 block of Woodbend Drive, near Van Thomas Drive, as officers attempted to locate and take into custody Solomon Owens, 26, of Durham. Police said officers were at the residence to serve a warrant connected to an ongoing investigation out of Garner.
According to Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce, officers were attempting to enter the home when Owens fired at police. At least one officer returned fire, striking Owens, police said.
Authorities said a Raleigh officer was taken to WakeMed for treatment and was later released. Owens was also transported for treatment, suffered what police described as minor injuries, and was later released into custody.
Police said there was no ongoing threat to the community as the investigation continued at the scene.
Police said Owens was being sought in connection with the shooting death of Joseph “Joey” Adams in Garner. Garner police said Adams was found shot inside a vehicle on February 9 on Timber Drive, near Vandora Springs Road.
Authorities said the investigation led them to the Woodbend Drive address in Raleigh. Garner Police Chief Chris Adams said investigators did not know Owens’ identity until Thursday.
Investigators have not publicly identified a motive for the Garner killing, and police have said it remains unclear whether Owens and Adams knew each other.
As is standard practice in officer involved shootings in North Carolina, the State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the exchange of gunfire, authorities said.
Police officials have not released the name of the injured Raleigh officer or detailed the nature of the officer’s injuries beyond confirming the officer was treated and released.
Officials also have not publicly released additional details about what occurred inside the home, including the sequence of entry, the number of shots fired, or what evidence may have been recovered at the location. Those details are expected to be addressed as the SBI investigation progresses and as authorities release further updates.
Field Lessons are offered strictly as general, industry-standard reminders drawn from common safety practices and typical policy considerations. They are not based on any inside knowledge of this specific incident, do not presume what actions were taken, and should not be interpreted as commentary on the decisions made at the scene.
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Treat warrant service as a high-risk entry. Use a deliberate approach, clear roles, and disciplined angles to reduce exposure at the threshold.
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Build in ballistic cover and casualty planning. Stage medical gear, identify cover for emergency movement, and assign a rescue task if gunfire starts.
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Control the fatal funnel. Minimize time in doorways and hallways where suspects can ambush with little warning.
- Our research indicates the most dangerous time in a war service is the initial entry.
Dr. Travis Yates has pioneered a behavioral risk framework to help officers and leaders identify, assess, and articulate risk in rapidly evolving, uncertain situations. Find out more about the FOCUS Behavioral Risk Framework.
