HIRAM, GA - A deputy with the Paulding County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) was ambushed and killed by a gunman while responding to a domestic dispute call that turned violent.
According to FOX 5, the deputy, identified as Brandon Cunningham, is the first in-the-line of duty death for PCSO and is being remembered as a hero. In a statement following the deadly incident, PCSO Sheriff Gary Gulledge said, "You're going to have to bear with me a sec ... 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]."
During the news conference he told reporters, "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." Fighting back tears he 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."
According to ABC News, during the news conference, Maj. Ashley Henson said that Cunningham and another deputy were "ambushed" while responding to a home in Hiram after receiving reports of a domestic dispute. She said, "Unfortunately, it appears as if our deputies were ambushed," calling the incident a "tremendously tragic situation."
On Saturday, August 17th, deputies were called shortly before 6:15 p.m. to a home in the Harmony Creek subdivision off Bill Carruth Parkways near Virgie Ballentine Drive. Responding deputies were met with gunfire immediately upon opening their patrol car doors.
Additional deputies arrived shortly after and were also shot at from the home. At some point during the gunfire, Cunningham was shot and rushed to an area hospital where he later died. Deputies described the gunfire as "raining down" on them.
Investigators learned early on that a woman had left the home and returned, only to be discovered with a gunshot wound. She was rushed to local hospital where she remains in critical, but stable condition. after learning that a deputy was shot, agencies from all over Georgia responded to the scene. Henson said, "There are hundreds of law enforcement here, or just left the scene."
SWAT teams from various agencies moved into the neighborhood to assist with multiple BearCats being brought in to protect individuals at the scene. SWAT team members eventually entered the home where they found the alleged gunman, 42-year-old James Samuel Atkins with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The female victim has been identified as 52-year-old Kim Thao Vu.
Deputy Cunningham was just 30-years-old and had been with the sheriff's office since 2020. Two years ago, he was assigned to the uniformed patrol division unit. Henson said, "He was a great deputy; a good young man." A photo posted to the PCSO Facebook page shows Cunningham graduating from the North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy Basic Mandate Class No. 339 on April 29, 2022.
Deputy Cunningham leaves behind two children. Sheriff Gulledge said that he was overwhelmed with support from fellow sheriffs and law enforcement from across the state. He had one request of them all, "Y'all please remember the Cunningham family in your prayers. Don't go to bed without saying one from them, for our office if you would please." Condolences for the family poured in as many learned about the tragedy.
Governor Brian Kemp released a statement that said, "Marty, the girls, and I are heartbroken by the loss of Deputy Brandon Cunningham. We ask all Georgians to join us in praying for his family, the Paulding County Sheriff's Office, and their fellow law enforcement during this painful time. May God give them comfort as they mourn."
Sen. Jon Ossoff said, "I join all Georgians in grieving Paulding County Sheriff's Deputy Brandon Cunningham, who lost his life serving our State in the line of duty. My prayers are with Deputy Cunningham's family, the Paulding County Sheriff's Office, and all law enforcement personnel who keep our communities safe."
Regarding the alleged gunman, Henson said, "We will have more information forthcoming about the individual that was involved in this situation." The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been tasked with investigating the incident.
According to FOX 5, the deputy, identified as Brandon Cunningham, is the first in-the-line of duty death for PCSO and is being remembered as a hero. In a statement following the deadly incident, PCSO Sheriff Gary Gulledge said, "You're going to have to bear with me a sec ... 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]."
During the news conference he told reporters, "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." Fighting back tears he 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."
According to ABC News, during the news conference, Maj. Ashley Henson said that Cunningham and another deputy were "ambushed" while responding to a home in Hiram after receiving reports of a domestic dispute. She said, "Unfortunately, it appears as if our deputies were ambushed," calling the incident a "tremendously tragic situation."
On Saturday, August 17th, deputies were called shortly before 6:15 p.m. to a home in the Harmony Creek subdivision off Bill Carruth Parkways near Virgie Ballentine Drive. Responding deputies were met with gunfire immediately upon opening their patrol car doors.
Additional deputies arrived shortly after and were also shot at from the home. At some point during the gunfire, Cunningham was shot and rushed to an area hospital where he later died. Deputies described the gunfire as "raining down" on them.
Investigators learned early on that a woman had left the home and returned, only to be discovered with a gunshot wound. She was rushed to local hospital where she remains in critical, but stable condition. after learning that a deputy was shot, agencies from all over Georgia responded to the scene. Henson said, "There are hundreds of law enforcement here, or just left the scene."
SWAT teams from various agencies moved into the neighborhood to assist with multiple BearCats being brought in to protect individuals at the scene. SWAT team members eventually entered the home where they found the alleged gunman, 42-year-old James Samuel Atkins with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The female victim has been identified as 52-year-old Kim Thao Vu.
Deputy Cunningham was just 30-years-old and had been with the sheriff's office since 2020. Two years ago, he was assigned to the uniformed patrol division unit. Henson said, "He was a great deputy; a good young man." A photo posted to the PCSO Facebook page shows Cunningham graduating from the North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy Basic Mandate Class No. 339 on April 29, 2022.
Deputy Cunningham leaves behind two children. Sheriff Gulledge said that he was overwhelmed with support from fellow sheriffs and law enforcement from across the state. He had one request of them all, "Y'all please remember the Cunningham family in your prayers. Don't go to bed without saying one from them, for our office if you would please." Condolences for the family poured in as many learned about the tragedy.
Governor Brian Kemp released a statement that said, "Marty, the girls, and I are heartbroken by the loss of Deputy Brandon Cunningham. We ask all Georgians to join us in praying for his family, the Paulding County Sheriff's Office, and their fellow law enforcement during this painful time. May God give them comfort as they mourn."
Sen. Jon Ossoff said, "I join all Georgians in grieving Paulding County Sheriff's Deputy Brandon Cunningham, who lost his life serving our State in the line of duty. My prayers are with Deputy Cunningham's family, the Paulding County Sheriff's Office, and all law enforcement personnel who keep our communities safe."
Regarding the alleged gunman, Henson said, "We will have more information forthcoming about the individual that was involved in this situation." The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been tasked with investigating the incident.
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