Cleveland County homeowner, neighbor involved in shootout with alleged burglar

CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A homeowner in Cleveland County confronted a suspicious person who shot at him, prompting a neighbor to shoot at the man before he fled the scene.

Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Mallard Drive regarding a suspicious person call around 10:55 p.m. Monday.

The homeowner went outside after noticing lights on in an adjacent home that was being remodeled. The homeowner was aware that lights shouldn’t be on and suspected a break-in.

After stepping outside, he saw a man wearing a yellow sweatshirt carrying something near his building. The homeowner confronted the man, who then shot at the homeowner.

The homeowner was not shot and called 911.

A neighbor heard the gunshots and came out to check on the commotion. The neighbor shot at the man after it appeared to him that the man was preparing to shoot at him.

The man ran away after being shot at by the neighbor and fled in an Audi.

Currently, the sheriff’s office says they do not have confirmation that anyone was injured.

The incident is still under investigation, and a search for the occupants of the Audi continues.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office at 704-484-4822 or Crime Stoppers at 704-481-8477. All tip submissions through Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous.