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Former Greensboro officer charged in December shooting

Greensboro Police headquarters
WFDD File photo
Greensboro Police headquarters

A former Greensboro police officer has been charged in connection with a shooting that left one person wounded.

Hayden Hughes is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury.

Hughes was among several officers who responded to a report of someone in a mental health crisis in December 2025. Police say there was probable cause to arrest the person for breaking and entering, but he refused to comply, and a struggle ensued. Hughes fired his weapon, striking the suspect.

Hughes was fired last month after a separate administrative investigation found his use of deadly force violated department policy.

Greensboro Police officials say the review also led to a policy change requiring officers to carry Tasers on their non-dominant side, separate from their firearms.

April Laissle is a senior reporter and editor at WFDD. Her work has been featured on several national news programs and recognized by the Public Media Journalists Association and the Radio Television Digital News Association. Before joining WFDD in 2019, she worked at public radio stations in Ohio and California.