N. Carolina Police Wound Man Suspected in Fatal Carjacking

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police shot and wounded a man Monday night they believe was involved in the killing of an Oregon businesswoman during a carjacking. At least three other people were taken into custody.

The slaying of Patricia Jones shocked this image-conscious city that in recent years has grown from a quiet Southern town to a bustling banking center. Jones was gunned down Sunday night in the parking lot of the Hilton Executive Hotel as she tried to flee the thieves taking her rental car.

One of the suspects in her killing was shot Monday night as he turned toward officers, said Police Chief Dennis Nowicki. He had a weapon but didn’t fire it, Nowicki said.

The man, who was not identified, was listed in critical condition at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte television station WSOC reported.

Three other people were taken into custody and were being questioned Monday night, while police sought still another suspect, Nowicki said.

Jones was killed by a shotgun blast as she and a colleague returned to their hotel.

They were in the parking lot in front of the hotel’s main lobby just before 7 p.m. when two people approached and demanded their car. A third waited in a car nearby, police said.

Jones, 36, was trying to get away when she was shot, police said. She died about 90 minutes later at a hospital. Her colleague was not injured.

“What makes this a particularly heinous crime is the fact this lady was shot in the back,” said police homicide investigator Matt Hunter. “You know she wasn’t trying to fight.”

Jones was in town with fellow employees of First Union Home Equity Bank for a seminar on lending. The mother of two was training to become sales manager for First Union in Medford, Ore.