Deputy killed, woman shot and suspect dead during domestic dispute call in Georgia [VIDEO]

A Paulding County deputy has tragically lost his life after a shooting Saturday night, authorities confirmed.

The deputy has been identified as 30-year-old Brandon Cunningham by Sheriff Gary Gulledge during a news conference.

The incident happened in the Harmony Creek subdivision, located at the intersection of Virgie Ballentine Drive and Bill Carruth Parkway.

The unidentified suspect, who was barricaded inside a residence, was found dead from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The sequence of events began when officers were dispatched to a domestic dispute at approximately 6 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene, the officers were shot as soon as they exited their patrol vehicle.

It is currently unclear if the officers had a chance to return fire before one of them was struck by the suspect's bullets.

The woman involved in the domestic dispute was also injured. She was initially allowed to leave the home, then returned to inform deputies that she had been shot. She was later taken to hospital and is now in a stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Deputy Cunningham, who had served with the Paulding County Sheriff's Office since 2020, is survived by his two sons.

We are praying for the family of Deputy Brandon Cunningham and everyone at the Paulding County Sheriff's Office.

We will always be grateful for your service and sacrifice.

“Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.” John 15:13 https://t.co/Ld0uhzjLHj

— GA AG Chris Carr (@Georgia_AG) August 18, 2024

Maj. Ashley Henson of the Paulding County Sheriff's Office said this is the first time the department has experienced the loss of an officer in the line of duty.

The Paulding County Sheriff shared the following in his Facebook page:

“Tonight has been one of the toughest in the history of the Paulding County Sheriff's Office. It is with great sadness and sorrow that we mourn the loss of Deputy Brandon Cunningham who was killed in the line of duty tonight . More information will be released in the coming days. Please keep our sheriff's office family and community in your prayers.”

In response to the shooting, homes in the immediate vicinity were evacuated for safety reasons.

A large police presence was established, including officers from the Cobb County Sheriff's Office, the Cobb County Sheriff's Office, the Floyd County Sheriff's Office, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, Hiram Police, Dallas Police and Powder Springs Police.

Marty, the girls and I are heartbroken over the loss of Rep. Brandon Cunningham. We ask all Georgians to join us in praying for his family, the Paulding County Sheriff's Office and fellow law enforcement officers during this painful time. May God comfort them as they mourn. https://t.co/n8TsP4YWJy

— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) August 18, 2024

Residents were advised to avoid the area as numerous officers arrived at the scene, including those from Cobb County.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has been called in to conduct an investigation into the shooting.

The incident remains under investigation as authorities work to piece together the details surrounding this tragic event.