Suspect wanted for shooting Forest City officer caught, police confirm

FOREST CITY, NC (FOX Carolina) – Police say a suspect wanted for shooting a Forest City police officer has been arrested.

Police identified the suspect as Akeil Franklin, 20, of Forest City.

According to Forest City Police Chief Chris LeRoy, the shooting occurred around 8:30 Monday morning when officers responded near Hill Street after receiving a report of a suspicious person that was armed and dangerous.

Police say they encountered Franklin in a wooded area. When police tried to communicate with Franklin, he brandished a gun and fired at officers multiple times—striking one in the abdomen between his vest.

The officer shot is Jamie Hill. He is a military veteran who has served Forest City Police for three years.

Chief LeRoy says officers returned fire at Franklin, but it is unknown if he was struck. Police say that Franklin fled the area on foot.

While a slew of authorities investigated, the area of Harmon and Hill Street were blocked completely. They reopened the roadway when school let out.

It took officials hours to locate Franklin, with no leads by the mid-afternoon.

The Forest City community sat on edge watching the investigation. Marke Reid lives across the street from where authorities set up base—minutes from where the shooting happened.

“Speechless. Shocking. You would never think something like that would be so close to your doorstep,” Reid said.

Reid says he was worried for his children, as he says this is a peaceful area.

“You have to be concerned about your kid’s safety; especially being this close. And they’ll do something right there near a church, then there’s no telling where they’ll do it,” said Reid.

Reid was rooting for officers to bring justice.

“Catch him. Keep him off the streets. That’s the best satisfaction you can have. Somebody like that doesn’t need to be on the streets anymore,” Reid said.

According to the police chief, Franklin is charged with three counts of attempted first-degree murder, assaulting law enforcement with a firearm and three counts of resisting public officers.

Franklin was also wanted by the North Carolina Department of Corrections for probation violations including common law robbery and assault inflicting serious bodily injury, police confirmed.

Chief LeRoy says Hill is in critical, but stable condition. Hill has undergone surgery and was last reported in the ICU. He offers his support for the family.

“We’re keeping them in our prayers. Obviously, the whole community’s coming out and kind of rallied around the family. We’re supportive of them. And basically, anything they need at this point; we’re basically obliged to them,” LeRoy said.

LeRoy says the last time an officer was shot was back in the 80’s or 90’s.

Highway Patrol, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, The S.W.A.T. Team, and several other agencies assisted Forest City Police in their efforts. LeRoy says as many as 100 to 150 officers came, and more have called and offered help as far as Charlotte and Tennessee.

The chief says all three officers were wearing body cams. The footage is expected to be reviewed later.

Forest City police say that the officer is in critical but stable condition.

Officer Jamie Hill — Jamie Hill (Forest City Police Department / August 9, 2021)

Stay tuned as we work to learn more.

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