Case Update: The suspects in this case have been identified: Brian Douglas Gartland. The second suspect is a 15-year old juvenile; his name is being withheld.Mr. Gartland will be transported to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office later tonight. Once a Secure Custody Order is obtained for the juvenile, he will be transported to a juvenile detention facility. Both suspects are facing two counts of armed robbery and one count of first degree burglary.
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Robbery Unit Detectives are conducting an investigation into two related robberies which occurred at 8801 East WT Harris Boulevard at 7:14 p.m., and 7022 #B Bonlyn Drive at 7:36 p.m., In addition, Homicide Unit Detectives are investigating an officer involved shooting related to the apprehension of the suspects which took place after the Bonlyn Drive robbery.
CMPD Officers responded to a call for service at 7020 Lawyers Road regarding a robbery from person. It was later learned that the actual robbery took place at 8801East WT Harris Boulevard. The victim reported to responding officers that he was robbed at gunpoint by two suspects while in the parking lot of the BackStage Club.
Hickory Grove Division officers obtained detailed suspect descriptions and began circulating the area nearby. While circulating the Brookridge Apartments, officers were flagged down by a witness who had seen the suspects armed with handguns running into an apartment at 7022 #B Bonlyn Drive, where they committed the second robbery.
The witness pointed to and identified the two suspects who had stepped out from behind a building. Once the officers saw the suspects, they gave chase on foot. During the chase, the two suspects split up, as did the two officers who were pursuing them.
During the foot pursuit, Hickory Grove Division Officer Robert Henderson fired his weapon at least twice after ordering the suspect to drop his firearm. The suspect was not struck and was immediately apprehended; the firearm was located in close proximity to where he was taken into custody. The second suspect was also taken into custody a short time later by the second Hickory Grove Division officer. A subsequent search of the area located a second firearm in close proximity to where the second suspect was taken into custody.
The Robbery Unit is currently interviewing both suspects at police headquarters. The names of the suspects and the charges they are facing will be released later tonight.
As per department policy, the Homicide Unit is conducting an investigation into the actions taken by Officer Robert Henderson. A separate parallel investigation will be conducted by the Internals Affairs Division to ensure that CMPD Directives were followed. Officer Henderson has been placed on paid administrative leave.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.