Raleigh Cops Take Helmet Hit In Northside Shootout, Five-Day Report Reveals

Raleigh police have released a five-day report detailing a tense Feb. 19 officer-involved shooting in north Raleigh, where officers serving a search warrant were met with gunfire as they forced their way into an apartment. According to the memo, at least one officer was struck in the helmet and another officer’s ballistic shield took multiple hits before the suspect was subdued and later tied to a separate homicide case out of Garner.

We are providing a copy of the five-day report regarding an officer-involved shooting on February 19: https://t.co/3FVYr1vu9khttps://t.co/UgcojImTjK

— City of Raleigh (@raleighgov) February 26, 2026

What the five-day report says

The memo, signed by Chief Rico L. Boyce and dated Feb. 26, says members of the Selective Enforcement Unit approached the front door of 7101‑K Woodbend Drive, announced themselves and forced entry. At that point, an individual identified as Solomon Thomas Owens allegedly fired 10 rounds from a Radical Firearms AR-style pistol chambered in .300 Blackout.

According to the City of Raleigh, Officer J.D. Rich was struck once in his ballistic helmet, while Officer Z.T. Hazzard’s ballistic shield was hit three times. Officer E.L. Trautz returned fire with two rounds that did not hit Owens. The report says officers then used a 40mm sponge round to immobilize Owens before taking him into custody, bringing an end to what could have been a much worse scene.

Charges and investigations

Local reporting indicates Owens was wanted in the Feb. 9 killing of Joseph “Joey” Adams in Garner and that officers tracked him to the north Raleigh apartment where the exchange unfolded, according to ABC11. Neighbors told reporters they saw a heavy police response at the complex, and officers stayed on scene for hours while investigators collected evidence…

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