CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - A police officer shot and injured a robbery victim who grabbed a police officer's gun during an arrest in east Charlotte early Sunday morning.
The man's family says he was trying to help police by holding another suspect at bay, while the officer tried to arrest another suspect who was running away.
The officer's back-up weapon had fallen out of its holster while tussling with the suspect. That's when the robbery victim grabbed the gun.
Another officer ordered the robbery victim to drop the weapon, but police say he refused, resulting in the use of force.
The robbery victim is Latino and his family says the man's English is poor.
The incident happened at the Central Avenue at the Central Pointe apartments.
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, police received a call around 3:22 a.m. about a robbery.
When Officer Joshua Skipper arrived, he found the robbery victim pointing at two people inside a car.
While the cop waited for additional backup to arrive, one of the suspects ran from the scene. Officer Skipper chased the suspect, and they got into a scuffle on the ground.
The robbery victim followed Officer Skipper as he was attempting to handcuff the suspect who ran.
When Officer Prince Blue arrived, he ran to assist Officer Skipper.
The CMPD released a statement that said Officer Skipper carries a backup pistol which came out of its holster "unbeknownst to Officer Skipper while placing the suspect under arrest."
Police say the robbery victim picked up Officer Skipper's backup pistol, walked back to the vehicle where the suspects were, and pointed the gun at the suspect who remained at the vehicle.
Officer Skipper soon realized the robbery victim was pointing a handgun at the suspect. Officer Skipper told Officer Blue to tell the man to drop the weapon.
Police said Officer Blue at the time was not aware the man holding the gun was, in fact, the robbery victim.
Officer Blue repeatedly commanded the robbery victim to drop the weapon.
The CMPD says "the robbery victim turned towards the officers and pointed the weapon directly at them."
Officer Blue fired his gun three times striking the robbery victim once in the leg, police said.
Police placed Officer Blue on administrative Leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation. He has been a member of the CMPD since September 14, 2009, and is currently assigned to the Eastway Division as a Patrol Officer.
No charges will be filed against the robbery victim.
L.C. Melton, Ronald Dewayne Deese, Courtney Skie Miller, and Latoya Lynn McRae were all later charged with armed robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a homicide detective or call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
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