Paulding County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Cunningham was shot and killed while responding to a domestic dispute in Hiram, Georgia. Cunningham was ambushed as he exited his patrol vehicle and was unable to see the threat before being executed. The suspect, James Samuel Atkins, was found dead at the scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Cunningham was the first deputy in the history of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office to be killed in the line of duty. He left behind two children and had been with the department for about two years.
The incident also left a female victim, Kim Thao Vu, injured and in serious condition. Deputies were hindered in their efforts to assist Cunningham due to the ongoing gunfire. SWAT teams, armored vehicles, robots, drones, and other resources were used to apprehend the suspect and secure the scene.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident. Sheriff Gary Gulledge described Cunningham as a hero and a great deputy, emphasizing that the senseless act of violence will never be understood. A memorial patrol vehicle has been placed in front of the sheriff’s office for the public to leave flowers and condolences. The community has been urged to keep Cunningham’s family, friends, and colleagues in their prayers during this difficult time.
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