Gunfight erupts as troopers confront man attacking driver on I-85, NC cops say

A gunfight erupted on the shoulder of Interstate 85 as two state troopers came under fire during a midday traffic stop, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol

The incident happened around 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15, near Archdale and ended with the suspect seriously wounded, the Highway Patrol said in a news release. Archdale is about an 80-mile drive northeast from Charlotte.

“Two members of the State Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop for a speeding violation on I-85 southbound near mile marker 118 in Guilford County,” troopers reported.

“During the course of the traffic stop ... the female operator was pleading for help as she was actively being assaulted by the male passenger. As troopers approached the vehicle, the male passenger fired at the troopers with a handgun.”

The troopers returned fire, wounding the suspect and giving the female the distraction needed to jump from the vehicle, officials said.

“The male passenger took control of the vehicle, traveling south on I-85,” troopers said. “A pursuit was initiated and continued for approximately 8 miles before the vehicle became disabled in the median of I-85, just south of exit 111 (S. Main Street) in Randolph County.”

First responders immediately began life-saving measures on the wounded driver, who remains in critical condition at a hospital, officials said.

Investigators identified the suspect as a 25-year-old man from High Point, and charges are pending.

The two troopers and the female who escaped the vehicle were not injured, officials said.

The troopers are “on administrative duty pending an internal investigation,” which is routine procedure, officials said.

This story was originally published May 16, 2025 at 9:06 AM with the headline "Gunfight erupts as troopers confront man attacking driver on I-85, NC cops say."