A Catawba County man faces numerous charges after an arrest early this morning. Hickory Police charged 28-year-old Justin Lynn Brandon of Conover with Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin, Meth and Cocaine among the may drug charges and other offenses. Bond was set at $244,000 with a first court appearance scheduled today.

Just after 3pm Tuesday, a State Highway Patrol Trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on West Franklin Boulevard in Gastonia. Preliminary information reveals that during the traffic stop, the Trooper learned the driver was on probation and had outstanding warrants. As the Trooper attempted to arrest him, the driver assaulted the Trooper with his vehicle, causing the Trooper to fire his weapon, according to a news release from the Highway Patrol. The driver was injured, but the Trooper was not hurt. The SBI is conducting the shooting investigation. The Trooper has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation as is standard operating procedure in any Patrol involved shooting.