Officer-Involved Shooting – Veasley Street

UPDATE - GREENSBORO, NC (February 15, 2026) - Greensboro Police arrested the suspect, identified as Oliver Wendell Watlington, 59, today on charges of assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with the Jan. 24 shooting.

Watlington was released from a local hospital earlier today and taken to the Guilford County Jail, where he was also served with a warrant for his arrest on charges of two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, sexual battery, assault on a female, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and interfering with emergency communications.

Watlington is in jail without bond.

This remains an active investigation

(Original Release below)

GREENSBORO, NC (January 24, 2026) - One man was hospitalized early Saturday after an officer-involved shooting in the 2000 block of Veasley Street.

Officers were in the area searching for a suspect wanted in connection with an incident that occurred Thursday, Jan. 22, in the parking lot of Studio 6, resulting in warrants for his arrest on the following charges: two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, sexual battery, assault on a female, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and interfere with emergency communications.

At approximately 12:30 a.m., officers located the suspect and attempted to take him into custody. The man discharged a handgun at officers. An officer returned fire, striking the suspect.

Officers immediately began rendering aid, and requested EMS to transport the individual to a local hospital for treatment.

One officer was injured at the scene. The officer was treated at a local medical facility and released.

This is an active investigation. Further details are not immediately available for public release.

In addition, the Greensboro Police Department's Professional Standards Division will conduct an internal investigation to determine whether Greensboro Police Department policies were followed. Pursuant to departmental policy, the officer involved in this incident has been placed on administrative duty.