Executive Summary
- Suspect Arrested: Oliver Wendell Watlington, 59, was taken into custody on Feb. 15 following his release from a hospital.
- Officer-Involved Shooting: The suspect was injured on Jan. 24 after allegedly exchanging gunfire with police attempting to serve warrants.
- Multiple Charges: Watlington faces charges including assault on a law enforcement officer, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and sexual battery.
- Internal Review: The Greensboro Police Department is conducting a standard internal investigation into the use of force.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Authorities in North Carolina have taken a 59-year-old man into custody following his release from a hospital where he was treated for injuries sustained during a shootout with law enforcement last month. The Greensboro Police Department confirmed on Sunday that Oliver Wendell Watlington was arrested and served with multiple warrants related to the January confrontation and a separate prior incident.
According to the Greensboro Police Department, officers arrested Watlington on February 15 immediately after his discharge from a local medical facility. He had been receiving treatment since January 24, when he was wounded during an exchange of gunfire with police in the 2000 block of Veasley Street. Authorities stated that Watlington is currently being held without bond at the Guilford County Jail.
The events leading to the shooting began around 12:30 a.m. on January 24, when officers located Watlington on Veasley Street. Police reports indicate that officers were attempting to serve warrants connected to an incident that occurred two days prior in the parking lot of a Studio 6 motel. Law enforcement officials stated that when they attempted to apprehend Watlington, he fired a handgun at the officers. An officer returned fire, striking the suspect. While one officer sustained injuries during the incident, they were treated and released shortly thereafter.
Following his arrest, Watlington was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with the standoff. Additionally, he was served with outstanding warrants from the alleged January 22 incident, which include two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, sexual battery, assault on a female, a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and interfering with emergency communications.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Procedural Overview and Investigation
As is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings, the Greensboro Police Department’s Professional Standards Division has launched an internal investigation to ensure all departmental policies were adhered to during the engagement. The department noted that the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of this review. This procedural step is designed to maintain transparency and public trust while the investigation determines the precise circumstances of the use of force.
