BRUNSWICK COUNTY — In the early morning hours on Monday, Sept. 22, an officer was struck during a shooting that happened at a Leland convenience store. Though the officer is recovering, the suspect involved has died.
The incident took place around 5 a.m. at 1930 Mercantile Dr. at the Minuteman Food Mart along U.S. 74 Andrew Jackson Highway. A clerk of the store called police after someone refused to leave the property.
Deputies from the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene and attempted to speak with the suspect, who then opened fire, according to a video posted by Brunswick County Sheriff Brian Chism.
One deputy was struck twice by gunfire in the incident. Chism said a round hit a protective ballistics vest, likely saving the officer’s life. The deputy was transported for medical treatment but has since been released.
Deputies returned fire during the event, leaving the suspect deceased. As is protocol in North Carolina, the State Bureau of Investigation has stepped in to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding it.
The SBI released the deceased suspect’s name: Brandon Wayne Taylor, born July 4, 1991. Taylor, from Collinsville, Virginia, is having his autopsy completed by the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the suspect’s family,” Chism said in the video, also thanking the SBI and Leland Police Department for their help, as well as the “kind messages” from the community. “This is the reality of law enforcement and the potential dangers we face everyday. We are grateful our deputy is going to be OK, but this is a reminder how our officers put their life on the line everyday with nearly every call they respond to.”
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