Winston-Salem police say suspect who was killed in standoff fired shotgun at officers

State investigators are probing the death of a suspect who was shot during an armed standoff with Winston-Salem police last week.

The incident began Thursday night at a home on South Main Street.

Police say 46-year-old Gilbert Collison Jr pointed a gun at his girlfriend during an argument and then left the home. The woman also left to meet with the police about the confrontation. Collison then returned to the home, beginning a standoff with officers.

In a press conference, Police Chief Catrina Thompson said the house was surrounded by SWAT members and negotiators tried to get Collison to surrender.

She said those attempts were met by threats. Thompson said the last contact came just after 2:30 a.m.

“Mr. Collison then fired on the officers with the shotgun for a final time,” she said. “Three officers returned fire, and Mr. Collison retreated deeper inside the home.”

Officers later found Collison dead.

The State Bureau of Investigation has launched a probe of the case and the three officers — Sgt. P.T. Watkins and SWAT members B.H. Ashley and J.M. Heyer — have been placed on administrative leave. Those moves are standard procedure when police shoot a suspect.