CHARLOTTE -- The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says an officer working off duty in uptown Charlotte was attacked while trying to break up a fight early Sunday morning. Police say a man put Officer Lee in a chokehold, and Lee then opened fire.
Police will charge the man shot, who is in critical but stable condition at Carolinas Medical Center, with assault inflicting serious injury on a law enforcement officer. Police charged Lawrence Johnson and Ryan Matthew, too. Johnson is charged with public affray and carrying a concealed knife.
Officer Tyler Lee was working off-duty at Buffalo Wild Wings in uptown when a fight among five people broke out around 1 a.m.
"Officer Lee was the only officer there,” said CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe.
Lee used his Taser on one man before another man grabbed the officer from behind.
"Rather strenuous chokehold and began to fling him about the restaurant,” said Monroe.
Monroe says Lee then fired his gun three times at the man who grabbed him. Police believe the three shots all hit the man. Police have interviewed 20 witnesses.
"Earnest effort to look at this particular incident as we do all incidents. From 360 degrees,” said Chief Monroe.
Lee is on administrative leave.
"The officer's life was in jeopardy, the deployment of his weapon at this time appears to be justified,” said Monroe.
Lee has served with CMPD since 2009.
As investigators gather evidence and witness interviews, they say their goal is to be thorough.
"To make sure that we capture all voices, all witnesses involved in this to make sure we put out the facts as we know them,” said Monroe.
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