KINSTON, N.C. (WITN) – An internal review by Kinston police reveals the man who was killed in this weekend’s officer-involved shooting made the initial call to 911.
Police say they were called to 1312 Manchester Road around 3:15 Sunday morning for a domestic-related call.
In the initial 911 call made to the Lenoir County 911 Center, police say the caller said, “This man has a pistol held on this woman, and he said he is going to shoot and kill everybody. You better send somebody right away.”
Police say the caller confirmed to the 911 dispatcher that the woman was being held hostage after being asked about her condition.
According to officials, the call disconnected, but dispatchers were able to connect with the caller again to get more details.
During the second call, when asked by dispatchers if the man with the gun was intending to shoot the woman, the caller said yes. A gunshot was heard at the end of the call, according to officials.
Captain Andrew Willis and Corporal James McDevitt were the first officers to arrive at the scene.
When they approached the door, police say both officers saw 72-year-old Nathan Burney standing behind a glass storm door.
Capt. Willis asked Burney to open the door three times. Burney then pointed the gun directly at the officers, according to police.
Police say the officers told Burney to drop his weapon twice before both officers fired their guns multiple times through the door.
Burney was struck by the gunfire, and despite life-saving efforts, he died at the scene.
Police say they found a woman hiding in a closet and two other people in a separate bedroom in a search of the home after Burney was disarmed.
Preliminary investigations reveal that the caller was Burney, who was also the suspect in the domestic violence-related report where he threatened to kill the woman while holding her hostage, according to police.
As per protocol, Capt. Willis and Cpl. McDevitt have been placed on administrative leave.
Kinston police say they have turned the investigation over to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
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