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CHARLOTTE - One man is in critical condition at the hospital and four other suspects are in custody following an early-morning home invasion that ended in a shootout with police.

It happened around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday at a home on West Avenue. When officers arrived, they found four men and a woman outside. When police attempted to question the group, 21-year-old Christopher Fortson fled the scene on foot.

As he ran, Fortson fired at Officer Joshua Baswell, but missed. Officer Baswell returned fire and hit Fortson in the lower torso twice. He is expected to recover.

"He's lucky he's not dead,” said Police Chief Rodney Monroe. “You just can't do that."

Once released, Fortson faces multiple charges including shooting at a law enforcement officer and attempted murder. The additional four people face charges related to the incident as well.

Police say one of the suspects, 17-year-old Bridget Bowen, had her baby with her at the time.

Neighbors along West Avenue say they've had trouble with the home for some time. CMPD's Crime Mapping system shows several break-ins there over the past year.

"They're a group of individuals that we've been watching over for a while now and it looks like we'll finally be able to get them off the street," added Monroe.

Baswell is on administrative leave, which is standard procedure when a shooting occurs.