North Carolina News – August 31

North Carolina News – August 31

POLICE SHOOTING

Police release details after fatal shooting at department

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Police in North Carolina have released more details about an encounter that turned deadly for a man they said set fire to a patrol car in the police department’s parking lot and attacked an officer. Police say Christopher Moore used an accelerant to set a marked patrol vehicle on fire in the Greensboro Police Department’s employee parking lot. Moore then attacked Officer J.M. Chavez and police say he tried to get Chavez’ service weapon. Officers A.L. Dellinger and R.T. Brooks found Moore attacking Chavez and police say the three officers shot Moore, who died on the scene. Police say Chavez is recovering from his injuries. The three officers are on routine administrative duty during an investigation.

COOPER-PISTOL PERMITS

NC governor vetoes doing away with pistol purchase permits

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed a bill that would do away with the permit someone must obtain from a county sheriff before buying a pistol. Cooper’s veto on Monday was expected. He says gun-permit laws reduce deaths and the availability of guns to commit crimes. An override will be challenging for Republicans at the General Assembly and for conservative gun-rights supporters, who see ending the pistol-permit mandate as a big agenda item. The permit requirement goes back more than 100 years. Bill supporters say the current permit process is duplicative with the comprehensive national checks performed by licensed gun dealers.

COOPER-HOTEL RULES

Cooper vetoes measure addressing NC hotel guest rights

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed a measure that would have made it clear that North Carolina hotel operators could remove short-term residents for misconduct by making clear they lacked the rights of a long-term tenant. Bill supporters said the measure clarified that tenant protections don’t cover people staying in lodging for less than 90 consecutive days. But Cooper said on Monday that the legislation “removes legal protections and allows unnecessary harm to vulnerable people.” Tenant rights are more robust, particularly on evictions. Cooper has now vetoed seven bills this year. There have been no successful overrides.

COOPER-JUVENILE JUSTICE

Higher age of N. Carolina juvenile prosecution becomes law

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The minimum age for prosecution in North Carolina’s juvenile courts will rise later this year from age 6 to 8 in legislation signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper. Monday’s signing will remove North Carolina status as the state with the lowest age for juvenile adjudication set by law in the country. Starting in December, 8- and 9-year-olds subject to juvenile court adjudication will be limited to those who commit the most severe felonies. Those who commit lower-grade offenses or who are still under age 8 will bypass court and receive counseling. The measure was among 11 that Cooper signed and two that he vetoed. 

HIGH SCHOOL-STUDENT SHOT

NC sheriff’s: Teen charged in shooting at high school

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — Authorities say a teen has been charged after a student was shot during a fight at a North Carolina high school. New Hanover County County Sheriff Ed McMahon says several students were fighting around 11 a.m. Monday at New Hanover High School when a 15-year-old shot another juvenile. McMahon says the wounded student was taken to a hospital with injuries that aren’t considered life-threatening. County schools spokesman Russell Clark says both teens are students at the school, which has about 1,500 students. The sheriff’s office says the 15-year-old has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and weapons offenses.

WILD HORSE DEATH

Wild horse tangled in wire suffers heat stroke, dies

COROLLA, N.C. (AP) — Officials say a wild horse that’s part of a herd that has roamed North Carolina’s Outer Banks for centuries has died after getting tangled in wire and suffering from heat stroke. The Corolla Wild Horse Fund says Hurricane, a 10-year-old stallion, was euthanized after his organs began to fail. A Dominion Power worker found the horse Friday morning tangled in fencing wire and called the group. After staffers freed Hurricane, he walked away with only mild injuries, but staffers then saw him collapse. He was taken to the rescue farm where he didn’t respond to treatment and eventually went into organ failure. The team decided to humanely euthanize him to end his suffering.

FILM INDUSTRY

Hallmark movies key in a big year for N.C. film production

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — Hallmark Channel movies are playing a key role in what’s expected to be a big year for North Carolina’s film industry. The StarNews reports that with film productions expected to bring a record-setting $409 million to the state in 2021, and with nearly $300 million spent in the Wilmington area so far, so-called “Hallmark movies” are a staple of local activity. Currently filming is “Christmas in Harmony,” which had multiple Santas roaming a downtown Wilmington street last week. 

ALE ARRESTS

Statewide alcohol law enforcement operation yields arrests

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Authorities in North Carolina executed search warrants, seized guns and fake IDs, and made hundreds of arrests as part of a statewide alcohol law enforcement operation that took place at the start of the weekend. The Department of Public Safety said in a news release that Alcohol Law Enforcement special agents partnered with local police departments in the effort Friday night. The news release says special agents made 371 arrests, executed 10 search warrants, and seized 17 firearms and 86 fraudulent identifications, U.S. currency and various types of illegal controlled substances. 

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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