Suspect takes own life after ‘shooting Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Cunningham dead’ in bloody hours-long standoff

A SHERIFF’S deputy was shot and killed in a standoff that lasted for hours on Saturday night.

Police first responded to a domestic dispute in Hiram, Georgia , when bullets started flying at the two officers as soon as they stepped out of the car.

X / Eric Mock

X / EricMock

Paulding County Sheriff's Office

Paulding County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Cunningham, 30, was shot and killed in the terrifying incident.

A woman in the home was able to escape the domestic dispute but later returned to the area. She was also shot, according to PCSO Major Ashley Henson.

Henson reported that she is in stable condition at a nearby hospital.

After officers first arrived at the scene just after 6 pm, the standoff with the gunman continued until around 10 pm.

Henson said that hundreds of officers and multiple SWAT teams reported to the area.

Residents were asked to avoid the area in Hiram, which is located about 45 minutes outside of Atlanta , as the situation unfolded.

More cops arrived on the scene and there was gunfire at the additional officers who arrived at the scene.

Before 11 pm, Henson said the suspected shooter was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The suspect’s name has not been released.

PCSO Sheriff Gary Gulledge said that Cunningham was a father of two who had worked with the sheriff’s office for over four years.

“I know what Paulding County is and I know the people here. I know what you will do,” Gulledge said.

“I ask that you please keep this family in your prayers. Even if you’re not in the county, I ask that you pray for this family, both blood and blue. Everybody here is hurting.”

Video from the area by local Fox affiliate WAGA-TV showed cop cars speeding to the scene around 8:30 pm ET.

SHERIFF'S FULL STATEMENT

Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge shared a statement about the shooting on Facebook.

“Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Deputies are currently on the scene of a standoff with an individual who shot at a deputy and citizen earlier this evening,” Gary Gulledge said.

“As of now, we can confirm that a deputy and a citizen have been shot. Both have been transported to area hospitals.

“This is a very active law enforcement situation.”

One Hiram resident described the chaotic scene to NBC affiliate 11Alive .

The father of a newborn said he left to grab groceries, but when he came back home, undercover cops and SWAT agents flooded the area.

NEIGHBOR DESCRIBES SCENE

“I see SWATs coming in, undercovers. Cobb County, Paulding County, Dallas…all over,” he recalled.

“[My wife] saw cops driving up and down the subdivision, it looks like they’re looking for someone.”

The witness said streets are shut down, meaning nobody can get back to their homes while the shooting is still active.

“This is usually a peaceful neighborhood, no issues at all, so I’m shocked.”

The man was told he wouldn’t be able to return home until later Saturday night or early Sunday morning.

CONCERNED COMMUNITY

Residents shared their concerns about the unfolding incident on Facebook .

“All I will say now is keep the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office in your prayers as well as the agencies responding to assist on this on going scene in Hiram, Georgia,” one Facebook user wrote.

“Paulding County Sheriff deputies are currently in a bad situation, and need prayers,” another shared.

The suspect’s identity is not known.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org , or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.