NC deputy fatally shoots man while serving warrant

A man was fatally shot in Elizabeth City, N.C., on Wednesday when deputies from the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office were serving a search warrant.

Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten II held a press conference on Wednesday, where he confirmed that Andrew Brown was killed during an encounter with authorities. Wooten was unsure of Brown’s age but local station WAVY reported that Brown’s family members said he was 40-years-old.

WAVY reports that shooting occurred around 8:30 a.m. Brown was shot after he got into his car and began to drive away. Neighbors told the station that they heard six to eight gunshots.

Wooten said that an investigation has been requested from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

“The sheriff’s office will be transparent and take the proper actions based on the findings of the SBI’s investigation. I have put together a team of local law enforcement to come to Pasquotank County to ensure the safety and protection of the citizens in our community,” Wooten said.

Wooten did not say what the deputies were looking for when serving the search warrant.

The sheriff also confirmed that body cameras were used during the incident and that footage was available, though he said he had not seen it as of Wednesday afternoon. Wooten added this was the first time such an incident had occurred in his career.

The deputies involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave.

Things are very tense here in Elizabeth City. Lots of emotions. Deputies were serving a search warrant. @WAVY_News pic.twitter.com/JITfoWYuT7

— Jason Marks (@jasonmarkswavy) April 21, 2021

District Attorney Andrew Womble said at the press conference, “It is indeed a tragic day here in Pasquotank County.”

“What we are looking for at is time will be accurate answers and not fast answers,” Womble said. “We’re going to wait for the full and complete investigation performed by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and their agents. Then we will review that and make any determinations that we deem appropriate at that time.”

This incident comes one day after Ma’Khia Bryant, 16, was fatally shot by officer in Columbus, Ohio who she had called for help. Bryant was reportedly carrying a knife when officers arrived and was fighting with another girl.

Both of these incidents come right after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was declared guilty on Tuesday of second-degree murder in the death of George Floyd.

Floyd’s death in 2020 sparked waves of demonstrations and protests against police brutality in the U.S.