HIGH POINT, N.C. — Tire marks are evidence of a dangerous police chase overnight in High Point.
Police said it ended when the driver of a stolen car crashed on Marlboro Street, as someone in the car was shooting at officers.
Officers arrested Marcus Wilson Jr., 21, and a 14-year-old as they tried to run away from the crash. The officers were not hurt, police said.
Both suspects had bookbags with a weapon inside. Wilson's bag had an AR-style pistol in it. The teen's bookbag had a 9mm pistol in it.
Officers said they are looking for a third suspect involved in the chase and shooting.
"Attention has been turned to the youth because they are driving our numbers back up because they are committing violent crimes," said Gretta Bush the board chair of High Point Community Against Violence. "In one of our reports in February it was up and teens under age were stealing cars, shooting, committing vandalism, and violent crimes."
Bush said High Point Community Against Violence helps violent offenders turn their lives around.
She said violent crime is up 5% compared to this time last year.
"When you look at the violent crime the adults were doing we know there were children in the home. They are affected by it," Bush said. "We concentrated on adults to make sure their behavior changed and hoped the behavior at home changes but when you have a parent saying my child is going down the road I did I need your help."
Bush said that's when they step in to help in every way they can.
"In a way to turn their lives around," Bush said. "It may be school attendance, it maybe mental it may be peer pressure."
Overnight Friday, officers found a stolen Kia Soul in the E Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Hickory Chapel Road area. There were three people inside the car.
Bush said they've worked with nearly 500 teens this summer and have kept them busy with sports, even a boot camp carpentry class.
She said it's going to take a village to turn things around.
"You have to be aware of your child and what they're doing," bush said. "Sometimes we're too lenient and looking for the church, or police department to do it."
Wilson is facing several charges including two counts of attempted first-degree murder, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and carrying a concealed weapon. He was taken to the Guilford County Jail and given no bond.
High Point Police Chief Curtis Cheeks III released a statement regarding the incident:
This morning's incident is another example of the reckless and dangerous activity our juveniles are involved in. Not only can incidents like this be life-altering, they can be life-ending. I am thankful that no one was seriously injured. Even in the face of danger, our officers maintained composure and made an impactful arrest for the safety of the High Point community.
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