May 19, 2013
A North Carolina Highway patrolman was forced to defend his life when he pulled over to break up a fight between two men.
Officials say it happened around 2:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon on Highway 17 North in Bertie County. The Highway Patrol says trooper E.J. Forbes fired his gun after he discovered that one of the men in the fight also had a gun and was pointing it at the trooper.
The State Bureau of Investigation has been called in to do the criminal investigation. Trooper Forbes will be placed on administrative leave with pay until the investigation is concluded.
Officials have not released the name of the man who was shot, and are unsure of his condition. The man was taken to Bertie Memorial Hospital.
