PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. – A deputy in Georgia was shot and killed Saturday evening in what Paulding County authorities are saying appeared to be an “ambush” as he was responding to a call of domestic violence.
Deputy Brandon Cunningham, 30, of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office was shot during an incident in the town of Hiram. Although he was transported to a local hospital, he did not survive, Sheriff Gary Gulledge said, reported Fox 5 Atlanta.
“You’re going to have to bear with me a sec…” Sheriff Gulledge exclaimed, stepping in front of reporters at around 10:45 p.m. to deliver the heartbreaking news. “I want to let y’all know that tonight, we lost a hero. Deputy Cunningham succumbed to a gunshot wound at the emergency room over here at [WellStar] Paulding [Medical Center].”
“I ask that this community, as you always do to join behind us, stand beside us, and hold us up. It’s going to be a tough time for all of us and all of our guys,” the sheriff emotionally added. “I know what Paulding County is, and I know the people here, I know what you’ll do. I ask that you keep this family in your prayers. Everybody, even if you’re not in this county. I ask that you pray for this family…both blood and blue.”
Just before 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, two deputies were dispatched to a residence on Foggy Creek Lane. Upon arrival, the law enforcement officers were immediately met with gunfire as they exited their patrol car. Additional deputies responded and were also met with gunfire coming from the inside the home, according to the sheriff’s office.
Cunningham suffered a gunshot wound and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
“It appears our deputies were ambushed,” Paulding County Sheriff’s Major Ashley Henson said, adding that responding deputies described the gunfire as “raining” down on them. The second deputy was not struck.
According to Investigators, a woman previously left the residence and then returned after deputies arrived. She was suffering from a gunshot wound and transported to a hospital in critical but stable condition, the sheriff’s office said.
A SWAT team responded and subsequently entered the home where the gunman was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound, Fox reported.
His identity has not yet been revealed.
Deputy Cunningham had been with the sheriff’s office since 2020. He was assigned to the uniformed patrol division about two years ago and is survived by two children.
“He was a great deputy, a good young man,” Major Henson said.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been asked to investigate the homicide.
