18-Year-Old Suspect Killed After Shooting Monroe Police Officer, Manhunt

An 18-year-old suspect, Joshua Hayden Sikes, was fatally shot by Monroe, N.C. police after a series of violent incidents early Saturday morning. Police initially attempted to stop Sikes for driving a suspicious vehicle, which led to a pursuit ending with Sikes shooting and injuring a female officer, who is now in stable condition. Sikes then fled into nearby woods, prompting an extensive manhunt involving K9 units, drones, and a helicopter; he was later found armed with a rifle and was killed after firing at officers. Shortly after these events, authorities discovered the body of 23-year-old Alvin Parson in a nearby home, and evidence quickly linked Sikes to the homicide, suggesting he killed Parson before the police encounter. Both the Monroe Police Department and Union County Sheriff’s Office highlighted the dangers law enforcement officers face and commended the officers' response. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the incident, as is standard with officer-involved shootings.