RALEIGH, NC (LOOTPRESS) – A preliminary investigation has revealed that on Friday, September 1, at approximately 1:08 a.m., a member of the State Highway Patrol attempted a traffic stop on I-40 westbound near the 322-mile marker in Johnston County for a speeding violation. The involved black Nissan Rogue was clocked speeding 101-m.p.h. in a 70-m.p.h. zone. The driver failed to stop for emergency equipment and a pursuit ensued traveling west towards Wake County. During the pursuit, a member with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit in a supporting role.
The pursuit continued I-40 west unit the suspect exited onto Hammond Road. The driver made several additional turns until crashing into an open grassy lot at the intersection of East St. and Branch St. in the city of Raleigh. Law enforcement officers attempted to take the driver into custody when the operator of the suspect vehicle produced a firearm and fired upon them. The involved officers returned fire striking the suspect. The suspect was transported to Wake Medical where he succumbed to his injuries.
The suspect is identified as Jaylen Latrelle Routt, 20 years old, of Fayetteville, NC. He was currently wanted for multiple charges stemming from Cumberland County to include murder. The involved State Highway Patrol member is identified as Master Trooper Harrison Nazal, he is a 10-year veteran assigned to Troop C, District 6 (Johnston County).
In accordance with agency protocol in any trooper-involved shooting, the involved member will be placed on administrative duty. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is conducting an independent investigation of the incident. Any further inquiries into this incident should be directed to the SBI due to their separate ongoing investigation.
