On Saturday, June 25, 2022, at around 8:45 PM, officers responded to a Domestic Disturbance/Assault at 21404 Blakely Shores Dr. in Cornelius. An adult male by the name of Joseph Pantera (53 years old), assaulted his step father by striking him in the head with a glass picture frame. Officers arrived on scene and the suspect fled into a bonus room located above the garage. The victim was transported to the hospital for a laceration on his forehead and received (17) stitches. Officers began communicating with the suspect and he refused to exit the bonus room. As time went on it was apparent the suspect was not going to surrender so the decision was made to deploy North Mecklenburg SWAT and Negotiators in an attempt to convince the suspect to surrender. After approximately five hours, negotiations failed and chemical munitions were deployed. Seconds later the suspect opened fire on officers through a door, wall, and window. Multiple rounds were fired by the suspect at officers during the incident. The suspect surrendered a short time later and was taken into custody.
No officers returned fire and none of the officers nor the suspect sustained any injuries from the incident. The Cornelius Police Department would like to thank Davidson PD, Huntersville PD, and CMPD for their assistance during this incident. The suspect is being charged with multiple charges including the initial Assault and Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Law Enforcement Officer.
Suspect Information:
Joseph Dion Pantera
21404 Blakely Shores Dr.
Cornelius, NC 28031
W/M DOB 05-12-69
