PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. (TND) — A deputy with a Georgia sheriff's office was killed in the line of duty Saturday after he was "ambushed" while responding to a domestic dispute call.
Two deputies responded to the call just after 6 p.m. and were immediately fired upon as they exited their patrol vehiclein a subdivision in Hiram, Georgia, according to the Paulding County Sheriff's Office.
The deputy "was shot as he exited his patrol vehicle, never even seeing the threat before being executed," officials stated.
Deputies added shots continued to be fired from inside the home preventing his partner from being able to render aid.
As more deputies arrived on the scene, the department said they too were unable to reach the injured deputy due to a "hail of gunfire that was being rained down upon them."
Deputy Brandon Cunningham, 30, died at the hospital later that evening.
Deputies added the wife of the suspect was also shot while attempting to leave the house after Cunningham was ambushed. She was taken to an Atlanta-area hospital and listed in stable condition.
The suspect, 42-year-old James Samuel Atkins, appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
"Throughout the evening, multiple metro area S.W.A.T. teams arrived on the scene to assist in capturing the suspect. Eventually, S.W.A.T. teams were able to make entry into the residence utilizing Bearcat armored vehicles, robots, and drones," according to the department.
It was also noted that Deputy Cunningham is the first deputy in the history of the department to lose their life in the line of duty.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) will continue to investigate.
"We lost a hero last night. Brandon was a great Deputy and a hard worker. My heart breaks for his family, friends, and our staff,"Sheriff Gary Gulledge said. "This senseless act of violence will never be understood. Brandon was 30 years old and leaves behind two children. Please pray for us as we navigate uncharted waters.”
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