Winston-Salem kidnapping suspect who shot at officers charged with attempted murder, police say

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — A kidnapping suspect who shot at police officers is now facing a charge of attempted murder, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department.

At about 2:15 a.m. Tuesday morning, police responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon on the 800 block of Meadow Ridge Court.

As officers circulated the area, they found two people nearby, one of whom was later identified as Cortez Desean Ireland, 23, of Winton-Salem. Police are not releasing the name of the second individual “as the investigation is ongoing and further investigative measures need to be completed.” Ireland was allegedly holding a firearm.

When officers stopped to approach, one of the people reportedly shot at officers and hit the patrol vehicle. An officer fired back four times, and the people ran away. Police were able to take both people into custody a short time later.

No one was hurt in the exchange of gunfire.

Investigators determined that, before officers arrived, Ireland and the unidentified person had been at an apartment with a 19-year-old woman and a 22-year-old woman. Ireland allegedly assaulted one of two women and held them both at gunpoint. He reportedly fired a shot into the ceiling. Ireland and the unidentified person then left the scene, and a cell phone belonging to one of the victims was taken from the apartment.

No one was hurt by gunfire in the incident at the apartment.

Ireland was arrested and charged with felony possession of a firearm by a felon, felony robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony discharging a firearm within an enclosure to incite fear, 2 counts of felony second-degree kidnapping, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, 2 counts of misdemeanor assault by pointing a gun and misdemeanor assault on a female. Ireland received no bond.

On Friday, police announced that Ireland is also being charged with felony attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon on law enforcement.

He still remains in custody on no bond.

“I share the concerns of the community, law enforcement personnel, and law enforcement partners that we continue to see acts of violence being perpetrated by the same individuals,” said WSPD Chief William H. Penn, Jr. “Despite this frustration, we will continue to work in conjunction with our partners to ensure repeat offenders are held accountable. Safety of our community remains a top priority.”

Police say there is no danger to the community. All of the people involved knew each other.

The Winston-Salem Police Department is conducting an internal administrative investigation through its Professional Standards Division in accordance with protocol for all use-of-force incidents. WSPD is not releasing the name of the officer at this time, but the officer has been placed on administrative duty per standard procedure.

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