Colton Floren Obituary, Death; – A 24-year-old man has been identified as the individual shot and killed by Pineville police in a parking lot over the weekend.
On Saturday, January 11, a Pineville police officer fatally shot a man in the parking lot of Tavern 51, a bar situated off Pineville-Matthews Road near I-485. Authorities reported that officers were dispatched to the location after receiving a call about an individual brandishing a handgun and threatening patrons at the bar. Upon arrival, officers were directed to the suspect in the parking lot, who was later identified as Colton Floren.
At approximately 3:50 p.m. on Saturday, the officer issued 13 verbal commands to Floren, which he reportedly failed to follow. According to police, Floren then advanced toward the officer while making a sudden movement that led the officer to perceive him as a threat to both himself and nearby bystanders. Consequently, the officer discharged his weapon, striking Floren, who was subsequently transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The exact number of shots fired by the officer remains unclear, and it has been confirmed that the officer did not sustain any injuries during the incident. Authorities indicated that Floren may have been in possession of two additional firearms at the time. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is currently examining the circumstances surrounding the case, while the Pineville police are conducting a concurrent internal affairs investigation.
This incident marks at least the second police-involved shooting in Pineville within the past year. In May 2024, a Pineville officer shot and killed an unarmed man during an alleged shoplifting incident, and that officer faced no charges related to the shooting.
