A Paulding County Sheriff’s deputy was killed in the line of duty late Saturday while responding to a domestic incident in Hiram, Georgia.
Deputy Brandon Cunningham, 30, and another deputy were met with a hail of bullets as they stepped out of their vehicle at around 6 p.m., authorities said.
Hundreds of officers and SWAT teams arrived at the scene and people were asked to avoid the area as the suspect barricaded himself inside the home for more than four hours.
An injured woman managed to escape the home and was hospitalized in serious condition.
PCSO Major Ashley Henson said the suspect was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound just before 11 p.m.
“I know what Paulding County is and I know the people here. I know what you will do,” Sheriff Gary Gulledge said.
“I ask that you please keep this family in your prayers. Even if you’re not in the county, I ask that you pray for this family, both blood and blue. Everybody here is hurting.”
