Car chase and gunfight on I-85 exit ramp end with man fatally shot, NC deputies say

A “wanted” suspect involved in a car chase with Rowan County deputies was killed Wednesday, after a rush-hour shootout erupted on an Interstate 85 exit ramp, according to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect was identified as James Edward Coe, 28, of Salisbury, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Investigators say the incident began shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday. Deputies began following a pickup truck in pursuit of a suspect who was believed to be armed, according to the release. The suspect, identified as Coe, was a passenger in the vehicle.

When deputies attempted to stop the pickup on South Main Street in Salisbury, “a high-speed chase ensued,” the release says.

“When the truck got to the area of Olive Garden, 1425 Klumac Road, it was involved in a wreck, which flattened its right front tire,” officials said.

“The truck continued towards Julian Road, and then onto the on ramp to southbound Interstate 85,” the release said. “The truck made a rolling stop. At this point, the passenger got out of the truck and fired a long gun at the pursuing officers.”

Three bullets struck “the front passenger window and door” of a deputy’s patrol car, officials said, and deputies returned fire as Coe “fled into a wood line while continuing to fire at deputies.”

A search for Coe in woods along Interstate 85 was conducted with the help of the Salisbury Police Department and N.C. State Highway Patrol.

“Searching officers heard a single gunshot inside the perimeter area, and subsequently found a deceased male,” officials said in a release. “A firearm was recovered. It was determined that the suspect had multiple gunshot wounds.”

The driver of the pickup truck was identified as Devin Alexander Cornwell, 23, of Albemarle, officials said. He was arrested and “charged with felony fleeing to elude law enforcement in a motor vehicle,” officials said.

Investigators say Coe was wanted on “outstanding warrants for felony fleeing to elude law enforcement in a motor vehicle, reckless driving to endanger, speeding 90 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone, no operator’s license, driving right of center, and failure to stop at a stop sign.” All were related to a Feb. 1 incident in Rockwell, N.C., officials said.

“Coe had a previous felony breaking and entering of a motor vehicle conviction and was currently out on bond for possession of firearm by felon,” sheriff’s office officials said.

The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident, and “the two deputies involved in the shooting are on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation,” officials said. The deputies were not identified.

This story was originally published February 18, 2021 at 9:29 AM with the headline "Car chase and gunfight on I-85 exit ramp end with man fatally shot, NC deputies say."