A man is in the hospital Thursday after Highway Patrol said he was shot by troopers who were helping a woman in the man’s car in Guilford County.
According to Highway Patrol, two troopers, identified as Logan Self and Charles Chiarello, stopped a car for speeding on I-85 south near mile marker 118 in Guilford County.
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While that vehicle was pulled over, troopers said a black car pulled over near them and a woman driving begged the troopers for help, telling them that a man in the passenger seat was assaulting her.
As troopers walked up to the vehicle, the man, later identified as 25-year-old Deshawn Sawyer of High Point, shot at Self and Chiarello with a handgun.
Troopers said Chiarello and Self shot back and hit Sawyer. The woman got out of the car, and Sawyer drove 8 miles before the vehicle stopped in the median of I-85 near the South Main Street exit in Randolph County.
Authorities found Sawyer in “critical condition.” He was taken to a hospital.
The woman who initially asked for help was not hurt in the shooting.
According to the Highway Patrol, Chiarello was in his second day on the job, and Self was training him when the shooting happened.
Both Self and Chiarello are on administrative leave while Highway Patrol investigates.
Charges against Sawyer are forthcoming.