A sheriff’s deputy in Georgia was fatally shot while responding to a domestic dispute, with authorities describing the incident as an ambush by the suspect, who later took his own life.
Deputy Brandon Cunningham, 30, along with another deputy, arrived at a residence in a Hiram, Georgia subdivision shortly after 6 a.m. ET on Saturday. Upon arrival, they were met with a barrage of gunfire from a male suspect, which struck Cunningham, according to Major Ashley Henson of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office during a news conference.
Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Grieves Loss of Deputy Brandon Cunningham in Domestic Dispute Shooting
Henson described the incident as an ambush, calling it an unprecedented and deeply tragic situation for the department. He emphasized the severity of the loss, stating, “This is an event that has never occurred in the history of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. We have never had a deputy die in the line of duty.”
Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge confirmed Cunningham’s death, noting, “Tonight, we’ve lost a hero,” and acknowledging the difficult times ahead for the department. The suspect, whose identity has not yet been released, reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Henson added.
A woman involved in the domestic dispute, who had initially left the scene, returned while police were present. She was also shot and is now in stable condition at an Atlanta-area hospital, according to Henson.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will handle the case, with no immediate information on whether any officers discharged their weapons. Cunningham, who joined the sheriff’s department in 2020 and had served in the uniform patrol division for about two years, leaves behind two children. Henson reflected on the immense grief felt by the department, stating, “Our hearts are broken. Though we try to stay strong, there is already huge heartache and tears.”
