A Georgia sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot responding to a domestic violence incident Saturday night outside Atlanta, authorities said.
Brandon Cunningham, a 30-year-old member of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, was killed in the city’s far west suburb of Hiram.
“Tonight, we’ve lost a hero,” Sheriff Gary Gulledge said. “It’s going to be a tough time for all of us and all of our guys.”
Cunningham and another deputy responded to a domestic violence call around 6 p.m.
The two officers opened their patrol car doors and were immediately fired upon from a home, local Fox affiliate WAGA reported. Cunningham was struck by the gunfire while the other deputy avoided the shots.
As Cunningham was rushed to a local hospital more offices arrived on the scene and began an hours-long standoff, according to WAGA. Authorities said they aren’t sure if any officers fired any shots at the scene.
The standoff ended when the suspected gunman died by suicide before 11 p.m., cops said. The man has not been publicly identified.
While police surrounded the house, a woman arrived on the scene suffering from a gunshot wound, according to authorities. Investigators implied she was the victim of the domestic violence incident inside the home that prompted the initial call.
The woman was hospitalized overnight in critical but stable condition, cops said. She also was not identified. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will handle the case.
“Our hearts are broken,” said Ashley Henson of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. “You see us holding it together but there are going to be, there is already heartache. There is already tears.”
With News Wire Services