Zebulon man sentenced to 10 years in prison for firing at Wendell police officers

A Zebulon man was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison after police say he fired at Wendell police officers during a high-speed chase in 2018.

Cedrick Tyler Armstrong, 37, was previously convicted on Nov. 18, 2021, following a two-day jury trial, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

On Oct. 12, 2018, a Wendell police officer stopped a vehicle, according to court documents. Armstrong was in the passenger seat.

When a bag found in the glove box tested positive for cocaine, police tried to remove the driver and Armstrong from the vehicle, the documents state.

The driver had one of his arms in a handcuff when he fled the scene, dragging an officer approximately 25 feet. The officer was injured but was able to chase the car with other Wendell officers. The chase went though multiple counties and reached speeds over 100 mph.

Nine shots were fired in the direction of officers during the chase, which was ended out of safety for officers and the surrounding community, officials said.

Armstrong and the driver were arrested later that night at home on Beauty Avenue in Raleigh, officials said, where the handgun was hidden in the reservoir of a toilet.

Handcuffs, a handcuff key, drugs and the car keys were also recovered from the home, along with a phone with text messages in which Armstrong admitted to firing at officers.

Michael Easley, Jr., the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, commented: “Today, Mr. Armstrong received a well-deserved sentence. His conduct endangered innocent members of our community and directly threatened the lives of those brave law enforcement officers who have sworn to protect us. My office will not tolerate those who threaten the safety and security of our district.”