Colton Maxwell Floren – Pineville police have identified the man who was killed in a deadly officer-involved shooting at Tavern 51, a local bar. The incident occurred just before 4 p.m. on Saturday when officers responded to a 911 call reporting a man with a gun threatening other patrons at the bar.
Surveillance footage obtained by Channel 9 provides insight into the events leading up to the shooting. The video shows a man wearing a cream-colored sweater, holding what appears to be a gun in his right hand. He walks toward a couple of women at the end of the bar. According to an employee, one of the women tried to de-escalate the situation by telling the man to calm down, after which he placed the gun in his waistband.
The Pineville Police Department identified the man as 24-year-old Colton Maxwell Floren. Officers located Floren in the parking lot, where they gave him over a dozen commands to stop. Despite these orders, Floren continued to approach the officers. Police reported that he made a sudden movement, prompting one of the officers to fire his weapon. First aid was administered immediately, but Floren later died at the hospital from his injuries.
David Brown, a witness to the shooting and a customer at the bar, expressed shock and concern for those involved. “It’s just shocking, I’m actually scared. As far as the officer and everybody involved, I hope they’re okay. It’s just a sad thing,” Brown told Channel 9.
In response to the incident, the officers involved have been placed on administrative assignment while the investigation continues. This marks the third officer-involved shooting in the Charlotte area within three weeks. Earlier, on December 27, an off-duty officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department shot and killed a man outside Coyote Joe’s Nightclub in west Charlotte. The department later stated that the officers believed the man was armed and attempting to harm himself.
The shooting at Tavern 51 has raised further concerns about police interactions and the use of force in the region. As the investigation progresses, authorities are working to gather all relevant details to understand the circumstances surrounding Floren’s death.