Georgia lawmaker killed in 'ambush' while responding to domestic dispute

A deputy sheriff was killed Saturday night while responding to a domestic dispute in northwest Georgia.

This is the first time the Paulding County Sheriff's Office has lost a deputy in the line of duty, Major Ashley Henson said at a press conference Saturday.

Deputy Brandon Cunningham and another deputy arrived at a home about 6:13 p.m. because of the argument.

“Upon arrival, they were met with gunfire from a suspect who was inside a house,” said Henson, who spoke of an “ambush.”

Cunningham was struck and killed. The suspected gunman's wife attempted to flee in a vehicle immediately after Cunningham was shot, but was also struck by the gunman, the sheriff's office said in a statement Sunday evening.

The woman was identified by the sheriff's office as 52-year-old Kim Thao Vu. Her condition was stabilized at an Atlanta-area hospital, where she was listed in serious condition.

Officers attempting to assist Cunningham, including his partner, were prevented from doing so by “a hail of bullets raining down on them,” the sheriff's office said in a statement.

The MP had no chance to return fire, it was said.

“Cunningham was shot as he exited his patrol car. He was not even aware of the threat before his execution,” the office said in a statement.

Sheriff Gary Gulledge held back his tears at the press conference on Sunday.

“Tonight we lost a hero,” he said. “Deputy Brandon Cunningham passed away from a gunshot wound in the emergency room here in Paulding.”

He continued: “I ask all of you to keep his family in your prayers – even if you are not in this district, I ask you to pray for this family, both blood and blue. Everyone here is suffering, all of our staff is suffering.”

Cunningham began his career with the Paulding County Sheriff's Office in 2020 and was in the uniformed patrol division for about two years, Henson said.

“He was a great deputy, a fine young man. He was 30 years old,” Henson said. “Brandon leaves behind two children.”

The male suspect who allegedly fired the shots was found dead. The wound appeared to be self-inflicted, Henson said. Officials did not identify the suspect.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will continue to investigate the incident.