Shots fired downtown leaves one dead

UPDATE 5:40 P.M.

Greenville Mayor P.J. Connelly issued a statement Sunday evening about the early morning shooting behind Sup Dogs restaurant. 

"As mayor of the city of Greenville, I am committed to being transparent and providing as much information to the public as possible," Connelly said in a written statement. "Early this morning, Greenville police officers were involved in a shooting, during which a man was killed. The incident is currently under investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation, but at this point we can confirm the man was armed and that he was actively shooting in the direction of a crowd."

Connelly said his thoughts were with the family of the deceased individual and the police officers who responded to the incident.

Connelly also thanked the community for its patience and trust as the state investigates the incident. 

Early Sunday morning both the Greenville Police Department and East Carolina University Police Department responded to the area of Fifth Street and Reade Circle for a report of a shooting. According to a GPD statement, when officers arrived they found a man shooting into a crowd behind Sup Dogs. 

Officers shot and killed the suspect, according to the statement. Three GPD officers involved in the shooting have all been placed on administrative leave as the SBI and GPD investigate the incident. 

According to the GPD statement from Sunday morning, two individuals were transported to Vidant Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. 

ORIGINAL STORY

At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, the Greenville Police Department responded to a call of a fight in progress with shots fired near the corner of Fifth Street and Reade Circle, in the alleyway behind Sup Dogs, according to a media release from GPD.

The release states two unknown individuals were shot during the altercation and are now receiving treatment at Vidant Medical Center for their injuries. According to the release, the injuries were “lower extremities and are not considered to be life-threatening.”

The release says both GPD and East Carolina University Police Department officers were in the area and reported to the scene where they “witnessed a man actively shooting into a crowd of people in the alley.”

Three GPD officers returned fire and striked the suspect, according to the release. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the release, GPD Chief Mark Holtzman has requested the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) to conduct a primary investigation, “per protocol” when any officer is involved in a shooting situation. The release states the SBI will take over the investigation from GPD.

These three officers, in accordance with the GPD policies and procedures, will be placed on administrative leave until further notice.