A mentally ill patient was shot and killed Sunday morning after stealing a patrol car he was being transported in, officials said.
Law enforcement spotted the car near the NC State Fairgrounds and they tried to get him to stop. When he didn’t, deputies followed the car down I-40 westbound and then onto I-540 eastbound.
Several organizations responded to the chase, which was in excess of 80 mph. Officials said they used stop sticks, but they did not work.
Shortly after passing Glenwood Avenue, Cunningham lost control of the vehicle and crashed off the side of the road. He fled into the woods on foot where he was overtaken. After fighting and resisting officers, Cunningham was shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials have not said who fired the shot that killed the patient. Deputy Matthew Johnson, who has been a member of the sheriff’s office since October 2010 and Deputy Dusty Mullen, who has been a member of the sheriff’s office since August 2004 have been placed on administrative duty.
Cunningham’s death is under investigation by the SBI as an officer-involved shooting.
Deputy Mullen has been investigated as the result of an officer involved shooting in the past.
Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison told ABC11 that sometimes using handcuffs further upsets patients in these kinds of situations. The deputy involved in Sunday’s incident may have decided to allow him to ride without handcuffs as a way to keep the patient calm during transport. The sheriff said they may review their policy after this incident.
The deputy who was originally transporting the suspect was not seriously injured in the scuffle. One officer was reportedly taken to the hospital, but was treated for high blood pressure at the scene.