High-speed police chase ends in deadly shootout at North Carolina Zoo. Suspect killed
A multi-county police chase that reached speeds of 100 mph ended in the fatal shooting of a robbery suspect in the parking lot of the North Carolina Zoo Tuesday morning, authorities say.
The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Troy Chase Caster of Rockwell, about 45 miles northeast of Charlotte.
Investigators say Caster died after he “fired shots at pursuing deputies” outside the zoo’s Africa entrance, according to a Facebook post by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office. The 2,600 acre zoo is located in Asheboro.
“Deputies forcibly ended the chase on a gravel road behind the North Carolina Zoo where shots were fired,” said the post. “The suspect succumbed to his injuries at the scene.”
Caster was wanted for the attempted robbery of a female taxi driver Monday in China Grove, an incident that included a bullet shattering one of the taxi’s windows, Randolph County officials said in a separate release.
The taxi driver fought with Caster over his pistol, but was not hurt, officials said.
Caster was armed with a pink handgun during the alleged robbery, the release said. He’s accused of pointing the pink handgun in the taxi driver’s face and pulling the trigger — but it didn’t fire, police say.
Multiple law enforcement divisions were responding at the time of the Caster’s death and the State Bureau of Investigation is investigating to make sure proper procedures were followed, officials said.
N.C. Zoo officials noted in a tweet that the facility would be open as planned Tuesday. The chase ended outside the gate “in a remote parking lot that is currently closed for the season,” the zoo said in the tweet.
The chase began about 5:30 a.m. when Rowan County deputies spotted Caster near his home in Rockwell, according to a Rowan County press release. The zoo said in a statement that the shooting on its property took place at 7:30 a.m.
“The suspect reached speeds of over 100 mph as the chase continued, and entered into Stanly County. The chase continued into Stanly County, going into Davidson County, and then into Randolph County where NC Highway Patrol joined the chase,” the press release said.
“The suspect vehicle was finally stopped at the zoo in Ashboro. Shots were fired and the suspect was struck.”
No law enforcement officers were hurt, officials said in the release.
Caster was wanted on warrants for felony attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, according to a release.
He also had outstanding warrants for felony larceny of a firearm and misdemeanor larceny out of Rowan County, officials said.
This story was originally published January 7, 2020 at 12:30 PM with the headline "High-speed police chase ends in deadly shootout at North Carolina Zoo. Suspect killed."