(Scypre.com) – In a heartbreaking incident on Saturday evening, a Paulding County Sheriff’s deputy lost his life while responding to a domestic dispute in northwestern Georgia. This marks the first time the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office has suffered such a loss in the line of duty, according to Major Ashley Henson.
Deputy Brandon Cunningham, along with another deputy, was dispatched to a residence around 6:13 p.m. following reports of a domestic dispute. Upon their arrival, the deputies were met with a barrage of gunfire from a suspect inside the home. The suspect’s sudden and violent response has been described as an “ambush” by Henson.
Deputy Cunningham was tragically struck by the gunfire. Despite being rushed to the emergency room, he succumbed to his injuries, leaving the department and the community in mourning. “Tonight, we’ve lost a hero,” Sheriff Gary Gulledge said, struggling to hold back tears during a press briefing. He urged the community to keep Cunningham’s family in their prayers, emphasizing the deep pain felt by both his blood relatives and his law enforcement family. “Everybody here is hurting, our whole staff is hurting,” Gulledge expressed.
Deputy Cunningham had been with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office since 2020, serving in the uniformed patrol division for approximately two years. He was a dedicated officer and a good young man, according to Henson. “Brandon leaves behind two children,” Henson added, highlighting the personal loss suffered by his family.
In a related incident, the female victim from the domestic dispute, who had returned to the scene while deputies were present, was also found to have been shot. She was immediately taken to an intensive care unit at an Atlanta hospital, where she remains in stable condition. Henson noted that her condition could still change.
The male suspect, who allegedly opened fire on the deputies, was later discovered dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities have yet to publicly identify the suspect. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is now leading the investigation into the incident, seeking to uncover more details about the tragic events that unfolded.