Winston-Salem officer injured in traffic stop shooting; Raleigh man in custody
WINSTON-SALEM (WTVD) -- A police officer in North Carolina has been hurt in a shooting during a traffic stop.
Police said a Winston-Salem officer made a traffic stop for speeding about 2 a.m. Monday and found three men in the vehicle.
Police Chief Barry Rountree said 27-year-old Officer Nicholas Wayne Powell smelled marijuana and called for backup. Rountree said Powell had the people in the vehicle get out and one of them, 26-year-old Gary Lynn of Raleigh tried to get back in and drive away.
The police chief said Powell was shot several times and dragged about a quarter-mile. Rountree said Powell did not fire his gun and Lynn apparently shot himself during the struggle.
Powell and the Lynn are being treated at a Winston-Salem hospital for non-serious injuries. Police say a bullet to Powell's chest was stopped by his protective vest.
Lynn, reportedly had a criminal record that includes robbery and weapons charges. He's been charged Lynn with attempted first-degree murder, fleeing and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Powell has been with the department since 2011.
