Edilberto Espinoza Sierra dies in fatal Wilmington police shooting
Fatal Wilmington police shooting death of Edilberto Espinoza Sierra – Obituary
WILMINGTON, NC — Edilberto Espinoza Sierra was killed early Sunday morning after officers opened fire at a downtown Wilmington parking deck while attempting to stop a suspect vehicle, according to the Wilmington Police Department. Authorities said Sierra was pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts by officers to provide life-saving aid.
The incident occurred around 3:15 a.m. on March 9 at a parking deck on Market Street following reports of a shooting that left one man seriously injured. Officers from the Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office located a vehicle connected to witness descriptions and detained several occupants. When officers approached another vehicle matching witness accounts, the driver reportedly accelerated.
Police said the driver struck another vehicle and narrowly avoided hitting officers, prompting them to fire their weapons due to what they described as an immediate threat to civilians and law enforcement. Sierra was fatally wounded during the exchange.
Family members of Sierra told local media they believe he was unarmed and not involved in the earlier shooting. Relatives have described the incident as unjust and announced plans to hold a protest at the Market Street parking deck where the shooting occurred. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the encounter.
