Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's SWAT unit successfully took an armed man and other individuals into custody following warrant service early yesterday morning at a house at 9816 Langston Mill Road in North Charlotte.SWAT served the warrant for the arrest of Rafael Wilfredo Rivas (Shown R) at approximately 5:30am as part of an ongoing joint investigation between CMPD, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Advance intelligence indicated there were numerous weapons in the home in which Rivas was residing.
Gilberto Rivas, the brother of the primary suspect, fired at officers after they made entry in the house. One officer sustained minor injuries. An officer returned fire, striking Mr. Rivas. He was transported to CMC where he is being treated for critical injuries. Gilberto Rivas has five counts of attempted murder and six counts of assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer pending his release from the hospital.
Rafael Rivas was arrested and charged with the initial crimes that were the subject of the warrant (Alter Title and Fraudulent Application for Title). He also faces charges for Possession of a Weapon of Mass Destruction (a 7.62-calibre assault rifle). Rivas is from El Salvador and in the country illegally. It is suspected he has ties to the MS-13 gang. ICE agents have confirmed that 11 of the 12 individuals detained for questioning are in the country illegally. More @ WBTV