A New Hanover County Sheriff's office detention officer shot and killed
WILMINGTON -- A detention officer with the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office died after being shot outside her home.
27-year-old Tarica Pulliam, a detention officer with a 7-year-old daughter, was shot several times outside her home in Briarcliff Villas near Gordon Road early Wednesday morning.
Officials say Pulliam was heading to work around 5:15 when the shooting happened. She was ambushed as she was going to her car.
Pulliam was taken to New Hanover Regional Medical Center where died around 10:00 AM.
Officials believe 30-year-old Anthony Antwand Bowen, Pulliam's ex-boyfriend, is the shooter.
The couple has a rocky past, and on April 2, she took out a domestic violence protective order against him.
In the complaint Pulliam says,"he thought that I was cheating, and if he found out I would have hell to pay."
Also on the complaint she says, "he picked me up by the neck and took me to the bedroom. He said he was going to get his gun."
Those who knew Pulliam are shocked that she was caught off guard. They say the protective order is proof that he saw him as a danger.
And based on what authorities and witnesses say about the crime, Pulliam never had a chance to defend herself or get away.
Flags at the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office flew at half staff to remember Pulliam who worked with the office for two years.
Her family members did not want to appear on camera, but they did release a statement saying:
We would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support in this untimely and very unfortunate incident. We ask for privacy as we grieve and also ask that you keep Tarica's only daughter in [your] prayers as she copes with the loss of her mother.
As crews cleaned the street in front of Pulliam's apartment, the manhunt began for Bowen, who is wanted for first degree murder in this case.
Bowen is the ex-boyfriend of the victim and a domestic violence protective order was in effect at the time of the shooting.
Bowen shot himself in Onslow County Thursday afternoon.
Tarica Pulliam was a single mom with a 7-year-old daughter. The faculty, staff, and parents of Gregory School have set up a fund to help the child.
To contribute, make a donation through the State Employees Credit Union.
Along with this fund, Pulliam's fellow deputies will also be helping out her family financially during their time of need.
Reported by Sarah Warlick and Max Winitz
