Authorities said the incident started as an armed robbery at the Kangaroo Express on North Bright Leaf Boulevard in Smithfield just after midnight Sunday.
Police said the suspect, 28-year-old Garrett Brooks, of Roanoke Rapids, left the scene on foot.
A short time later, officers were called to another armed robbery in the parking lot of American Pride Car Wash, which is also located on North Bright Leaf Boulevard.
Authorities said the victim at the American Pride had his white Jeep Cherokee stolen by Brooks.
Authorities spotted the Jeep near the area and a chase ensued. Brooks led police into Wilson County, damaging two Selma police cars. Sources said he rammed a deputy's cruiser on N.C. Highway 42 near Interstate 95 in Wilson County, ending the chase.
Sources also told ABC11 that Brooks turned off his headlights after the crash, and then allegedly reached for something under his seat. Deputies then fired at him. He was shot at least five times.
Sources say Brooks had a gun on him. However, there is no word if he showed it to police or shot it at them. A source said that Brooks taunted cops by giving them the middle finger.
Brooks was taken to the Wilson Medical Center, where he later died.
The deputies involved have been identified as John Harris, with the Wilson County Sheriff's Office, and Robert Raetz, with the Johnston County Sheriff's Office.
The State Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the shooting.
See It On TV | Report A Typo |
Send Tip |
Get Alerts | Send us photos
Follow @abc11 on Twitter | Become a fan on Facebook
