Deputy released from hospital, suspect identified after early morning shooting in Brunswick County

LELAND, N.C. (WECT) - A Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputy was injured after a shooting in Leland on Monday morning.

According to BCSO, deputies responded to a loitering incident at a gas station on 1930 Mercantile Dr. at around 5 a.m. on Sept. 22.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) reports that gas station employees asked the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Brandon Wayne Taylor from Collinsville, Virginia, to leave. He refused, which led them to call the police.

The SBI explained that deputies responded and tried to talk with Taylor before he drew a gun and began firing at them.

BCSO reports that one deputy was shot twice during the incident. The deputy was hospitalized but has since been released.

Taylor was killed when deputies returned fire.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the suspect’s family,” Sheriff Brian Chism said. “This is the reality of law enforcement. This is truly an example of the potential dangers we face every day.”

The SBI states that Taylor was taken to the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

SBI states that the investigation is still ongoing and no further information will be released at this time.