Officer Shot Outside WakeMed Garner Emergency Department, Suspect Arrested After Attack
The quiet Friday night in Garner, North Carolina, turned chaotic when gunfire erupted outside the WakeMed Garner Emergency Department, located in the 400 block of Goldsboro Highway in Wake County. The incident occurred shortly after 8:00 p.m., prompting a massive law enforcement and emergency response that temporarily locked down the facility as officers secured the area.
According to the Garner Police Department, a law enforcement officer was shot near the main entrance of the emergency department. Witnesses described hearing multiple gunshots before seeing officers rush toward the entrance of the hospital. Medical staff immediately initiated trauma response protocols to ensure the safety of all patients and personnel.
The wounded officer, whose name has not yet been released pending family notification, was given emergency care by doctors and nurses already inside the hospital. Within minutes, he was stabilized on-site and then transported under heavy police escort to WakeMed Raleigh Campus, where trauma specialists began advanced treatment. As of late Friday evening, no official condition update had been shared, though sources indicate the officer was in serious but stable condition.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect responsible for the shooting was taken into custody shortly after the attack. Police said the individual was apprehended nearby without further incident and was immediately transferred to Wake County Jail for questioning. Investigators have not yet identified a motive, but early reports suggest the suspect acted alone.
Law enforcement agencies across Wake County, including the Garner Police Department, the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, responded to the scene in a coordinated effort. The FBI’s Charlotte Field Office has also been notified due to the attack targeting a law enforcement officer, though there is currently no indication that the shooting was part of a larger threat.
Witnesses outside the hospital described moments of panic as officers shouted for bystanders to take cover. One hospital visitor recounted hearing “two sharp cracks, like firecrackers,” before seeing people running toward parked vehicles. Staff quickly locked the main doors, and hospital security ensured that all patients inside the emergency department remained safe.
The WakeMed Health & Hospitals system later released a statement acknowledging the incident, confirming that the facility was placed under a temporary lockdown “out of an abundance of caution.” The statement praised the swift response of both hospital staff and local law enforcement, noting that “the immediate coordination between medical and police personnel prevented further harm.” The lockdown was lifted after approximately one hour, once officers determined there was no continued threat.
The North Carolina Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) has taken the lead on the case, working alongside Garner Police detectives to review surveillance footage and gather forensic evidence. Investigators have recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting. Forensic teams were seen marking shell casings near the hospital’s parking area late Friday night.
The officer, described by colleagues as a dedicated public servant, had reportedly been working a security detail in or around the emergency department when the shooting occurred. It remains unclear whether the suspect had any prior interaction with law enforcement or if the attack was random.
Garner Police Chief Joe Binns addressed the media briefly, expressing deep concern for the wounded officer and gratitude for the overwhelming support from surrounding agencies. “Tonight’s events remind us of the dangers officers face daily, even in places that should be safe. Our department’s focus is on our officer’s recovery and ensuring justice is served,” he said.
In the hours following the incident, residents gathered near the hospital, some bringing candles and offering prayers for the officer’s recovery. Community leaders, including Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe, urged the public to keep the officer and his family in their thoughts. “Law enforcement is a family,” Rowe said. “When one of us is hurt, the entire community feels it.”
The suspect, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, is expected to face multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer and attempted murder. Authorities have confirmed that additional charges could be filed pending further investigation.
While details about what led to the shooting remain limited, officials emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public, and normal operations have resumed at the hospital. Investigators continue to interview witnesses and review body camera footage to piece together the moments leading up to the shooting.
As of Saturday morning, the wounded officer remains hospitalized, surrounded by colleagues and loved ones. The Garner Police Department has requested privacy for the officer’s family as they await updates on his condition.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face each day—even in places meant to provide healing and safety. For now, the Garner community stands united, hoping for the officer’s full recovery and swift justice for the suspect now in custody.