PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — A Paulding County deputy is dead after being "ambushed" and shot Saturday night following a domestic dispute. The suspect later died by suicide after barricading himself inside the home for hours, the Paulding County Sheriff's Office said.
Watch the latest updates below:
Who was the deputy killed?
The deputy was identified as Brandon Cunningham, 30. The sheriff's office said this was the first time a deputy had ever been killed in the line of duty in Paulding County. Cunningham was on the force in Paulding County for around four years. He leaves behind two children.
Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge said that Deputy Cunningham was a hard worker who was great at his job.
"We lost a hero last night," Sheriff Gulledge stated in a release on Sunday. "My heart breaks for his family, friends, and our staff. 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."
Anyone liking to donate to Deputy Cunningham's family can do so through Paulding Public Safety Appreciation, Inc. (PPSA). The point of contact is PPSA President Jaid Ison. He can be reached at info@pauldingpsa.org or 706-622-7011. A donation link can be found here.
There is also a memorial patrol vehicle in front of the sheriff's office for the public who would like to leave flowers and condolences to the sheriff's office and the Cunningham family.
What we know about the suspect
The sheriff's office identified the suspect as 42-year-old James Samuel Atkins, who authorities said died by suicide after barricading himself in the home.
What led to the shooting
Paulding County deputies confirmed a woman was also shot and was the one involved with the suspect in the domestic dispute.
Deputies said that the woman was attempting to leave the house immediately after Deputy Cunningham was shot. The suspect then shot her.
The deputy and the woman were shot in Hiram, which is about 27 miles west of Atlanta. The shooting happened at a residence on Foggy Creek Lane within the Harmony Creek subdivision.
The road was blocked for hours, leaving dozens of residents in the rain while they waited for the scene to clear.
Authorities added that the woman shot was transported to an Atlanta-area hospital and listed in stable condition.
How authorities describe the scene
Paulding County Sheriff Public Information Officer Ashley Henson said that when deputies arrived at the home, they were ambushed, and there was immediate gunfire.
"More deputies arrived on scene when the call for help came out," Henson said. "There was active gunfire raining down on the additional deputies that responded to the scene."
Henson said hundreds of law enforcement agents responded to the scene, including Fulton, Coweta, and Cobb Counties and Marietta, Dallas, and Power Springs Police, plus state troopers. There were also multiple SWAT Teams.
"As you can tell by the look on my face, this is a very dire and serious situation," Henson said. "So, I would appreciate your prayers for both our deputy and the female victim. I would appreciate your prayers for the men and women who are out there right now trying to get this situation resolved peacefully."
Residents unable to enter neighborhood
As the events unfolded, one resident couldn't get back to his family, his wife and children, who were at a home inside the neighborhood that was blocked off by a massive amount of law enforcement. He said he went out to grab some food, and now he can't get back home.
"When I was leaving, we had two undercover cops flying in. By the time I came back, probably six (or) seven minutes ... they blocked it off, told everybody in the neighborhood to wait around," resident Jonathan Clery said.
He later added, "I have a newborn and a wife at home. I just told her to lock all the doors and stay away from the windows...Definitely worried. I wish I was there to protect them myself."