Georgia police officer shot in response to domestic dispute

A Georgia sheriff's deputy was fatally shot in a domestic violence incident outside Atlanta on Saturday night, authorities said.

Brandon Cunningham, a 30-year-old employee of the Paulding County Sheriff's Office, was killed in the city's westernmost suburb, Hiram.

“Tonight we lost a hero,” said Sheriff Gary Gulledge. “It's going to be a difficult time for all of us and all of our guys.”

Cunningham and another deputy responded to a domestic violence call around 6 p.m.

The two officers opened the doors of their patrol cars and were immediately shot at from inside a house, local Fox affiliate WAGA reported. Cunningham was hit by the gunfire while the other officer dodged the shots.

While Cunningham was taken to a local hospital, additional officers arrived at the scene and a standoff ensued that lasted for hours, according to WAGA. Authorities said they were unsure if officers fired shots at the scene.

The standoff ended when the suspected gunman committed suicide before 11 p.m., police said. The man has not been publicly identified.

While police surrounded the home, authorities said a woman arrived at the scene with a gunshot wound. Investigators suspected she was the victim of the domestic violence incident at the home that prompted the initial call.

The woman was hospitalized overnight in critical but stable condition, police said. She, too, has not been identified. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will take over the case.

“Our hearts are broken,” said Ashley Henson of the Paulding County Sheriff's Office. “We are holding together, but there will be heartache, there is heartache already. There are tears already.”

With News Wire Services