— information courtesy of a press release from Sheriff Curtis Brame
On Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at approximately 11:18 a.m., the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division assisted the Henderson Police Department Patrol Division. They were chasing a 2011 Honda Accord with a North Carolina registration in the area of Willowood Drive inside the city limits of Henderson. During the chase, deputies ascertained that Paul Z. Pearce, a white male age 29, had felony drug charges pending out of Wake County and to approach with caution.
The suspect Pearce wrecked the vehicle he was driving on Cypress Drive and stole another vehicle in the neighborhood and then wrecked the second vehicle on Edgewood at Cedarwood Drive, striking a patrol vehicle, flipping the stolen vehicle several times.
Pearce exited the stolen vehicle after wrecking and ran on foot through the woods onto Willowood Drive where he attempted to carjack another vehicle occupied by two women.
Deputies were chasing the suspect on foot when one deputy gave the suspect multiple commands to stop. The deputy then fired a service weapon missing the suspect Pearce.
No one was injured as a result of the weapon being discharged.
The suspect, Pearce, was apprehended and taken to Maria Parham Health in Henderson and air lifted to Duke Medical Center, where it was confirmed that he was not shot during the incident.
The Vance County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Highway Patrol and Henderson Police Department are conducting the investigation, and charges are pending regarding this incident.
The investigation is continuing.