CMPD officer dies of self-inflicted gunshot wound, CMPD says

An officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department died Monday in a self-inflicted shooting in south Charlotte, the department announced.

CMPD officers rushed to Steele Creek Road, south of the airport, early Monday afternoon, where they found Officer Brent Simpson in a wooded area with a gunshot wound, according to CMPD.

Simpson was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Simpson has been a K-9 officer who has worked with his dog, Levi, for the past six years. He has served in the force since 2006.

Police determined the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.

During a press conference, CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings expressed his grief and emphasized how the job can affect officers’ mental health.

“It’s a very sad day for our department,” Jennings said. “It also underlines the importance that we talk about every day when it comes to the mental health of our officers and the fact that they see and do things that normal people don’t see, do and don’t see. And that requires a fee.”

CMPD has not released details about what led up to the shooting. It’s the latest tragedy for CMPD. Four law enforcement officers, including CMPD Officer Joshua Eyer, were shot and killed in a shootout with a suspect just over two months ago.