A man was shot by police after opening fire on officers Thursday afternoon outside a car dealership in Belmont, authorities said.
The shootout unfolded outside the Keith Hawthorne Ford dealership on North Main Street and police said there were people in the area when the suspect started firing.
“We attempted to get the subject to disarm himself,” Belmont Police Chief Chad Hawkins said. “He started firing upon the officers, firing into the general area where other workers and citizens were. The officers returned fire.”
Russell Mason was with his 8-year-old son in their car when the shots rang out. He grabbed his cellphone and started recording.
“When I heard those gunshots, I knew it was a totally different situation then,” Mason said.
He and his son almost got caught up in the gunfire when Mason stepped on the gas pedal.
“The screeching of the tires was me,” Mason said. “I had to hurry up and bust a U-turn to get out there because you could hear the bullets hitting cars and everything. Basically, my fatherly instinct kicked in to get my son out of there. That was my first priority. Like, I don’t want him to get hurt.”
Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the scene and could see a heavy police presence at the intersection. There was also a three-vehicle wreck involving a pickup truck, a car and a van hauling a trailer. There were several bullet holes in the pickup truck and the rear window was completely shattered.
Police said the suspect tried to drive away in a vehicle. He was caught, though, and taken to a hospital, officials said. His name has not been released.
No other injuries were reported and police have not released any other information.
Source: Police respond to officer-involved shooting outside of car dealership in Belmont