Georgia Deputy Killed in Ambush, Suspect Dead
Sheriff Gary Gulledge says Deputy Brandon Cunningham was met with a “hail of gunfire” when he stepped out of his patrol vehicle and “never saw the threat.”
Paulding County (Georgia) Sheriff's Deputy Brandon Cunningham was killed in an ambush Saturday evening.
Paulding County SO/Facebook
A Paulding County (Georgia) Sheriff’s deputy was ambushed and killed Saturday evening at a domestic call in Hiram, Georgia. The suspect is dead.
Sheriff Gary Gulledge says Deputy Brandon Cunningham was met with a “hail of gunfire” when he stepped out of his patrol vehicle and “never saw the threat.”
In a Facebook statement, the sheriff said responding deputies could not reach Cunningham because of the intense fire coming from the suspect. They eventually used an armored vehicle to evacuate the mortally wounded deputy.
A female victim was also shot at the scene. Identified by officials as Kim Thao Vu, 52, and the wife of the suspect, she was wounded attempting to flee the house immediately after the deputy was ambushed. She was transported to the hospital in stable by serious condition.
A standoff ensued involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Bearcat armored vehicles, drones, and robots were used during the standoff.
The body of the suspect, James Samuel Atkins, was found in the home during the standoff. He apparently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Deputy Brandon Cunningham is survived by two children. He was 30.
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