Suspect killed by Iredell deputies is from Kannapolis

Published 10:34 am Monday, February 8, 2016

The bank robbery suspect shot and killed Friday in Iredell County has been identified as Vinson Ray Strickland, 52, of Arden Avenue in Kannapolis.

Iredell County Sheriff’s deputies who were involved have been placed on administrative leave and include Derrick Stutts, Leonard Hayes and Carl Adams.

The State Bureau of Investigation will conduct an investigation into the incident at the sheriff’s request, which is standard policy in officer-involved shootings.

On Feb. 5, around 5 p.m., deputies responded to an alarm at the Capital Bank, 1439 West Memorial Highway, Union Grove. Witnesseses reported the robber’s note stated he was armed with a gun. The robber was described as a Hispanic or a white male last seen running from the bank.

Officers from the N.C. Highway Patrol assisted in establishing a tight perimeter in the area in order to contain the suspect and keep him isolated from residential neighborhoods.

After two hours of trying to find the suspect with K-9 units, he was located in a wooded area south of West Memorial Highway.

After several commands from officers, the suspect fired on deputies, who returned fire, the Iredell Sheriff’s Office said. The suspect was killed during the exchange of gunfire. The suspect’s vehicle was located at a nearby business later that night by detectives.