DA: No charges for deputy in Leland officer-involved shooting
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - A deputy will not face charges for an officer-involved shooting, according to District Attorney Jon David’s Office.
Deputies Aaryn Carter and John Loyd confronted Brandon Wayne Taylor, who was reportedly uncooperative and led deputies on a chase, according to a press release from the DA’s Office.
During the chase, Carter ordered Taylor to stop and attempted to taser him. Taylor pulled out a gun while running and shot Carter twice, once in the right shoulder and once in the chest. Carter fired back, hitting Taylor four times. Taylor was declared dead at the scene.
District Attorney Jon David and Brunswick County Sheriff Brian Chism made a request for the State Bureau of Investigation to conduct a neutral investigation, the DA’s Office said.
“The SBI investigation is complete and my office has reviewed witness statements, photographic and video evidence, ballistic and medical evidence, and other pertinent investigatory documentation,” DA Jon David stated in the release. “Meaningfully, the entire incident was recorded on body worn camera and both deputies were interviewed and were fully cooperative. Further, the law of North Carolina regarding officer use of deadly force is well-settled. An officer is permitted to use deadly force to defend an attack with a deadly weapon against either himself or a third person in his presence.”
The DA concluded that Carter thought using deadly force was necessary to protect himself and Deputy Lloyd. He also believed that “Deputy Carter’s actions were justified and that the need for deadly force was authorized by law.”
The release then states that DA Jon David spoke with Taylor’s family to inform them that no officer would be charged.
“It is always unfortunate when an officer-citizen encounter results in a loss of life,” said District Attorney Jon David. “Based on the facts and circumstances of this case, Deputy Carter was justified in responding to a deadly threat and was wounded in the line of duty while performing his duties. But for the grace of God and the protection of his bulletproof vest, he may very well have lost his own life. Deputy Carter took a bullet for our community and I am profoundly grateful for his service and sacrifice – he is a hero."
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