Deputy Shoots, Kills Crash Victim After Man Pulls Gun

Guilford Co. Deputy Involved In Officer-Involved Shooting

POSTED: 8:34 am EST March 11, 2011
UPDATED: 1:26 pm EST March 11, 2011

 

GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. -- A Guilford County Sheriff's deputy shot and killed an accident crash victim after the man pulled a gun, Guilford County deputies said.Deputies said the incident happened at about 11:30 p.m. off Highway 68 at West Harrell Road.Deputy Stephen Christman had responded to assist in the single-vehicle crash, deputies said, when the man pulled a gun and pointed at the deputy and EMS workers at the scene.Guilford County Sheriff BJ Barnes said there were numerous EMS workers at the scene who witnessed the shooting and were being interviewed.The SBI is investigating the incident as well, which is standard procedure any time a law enforcement officer is involved in a shooting."I have confidence this investigation will prove the officer had no options and that the shooting while tragic was justified to protect the lives of the emergency personnel on hand," said Barnes.The victim has been identified as 25-year-old Brandon Devon Graves, of Eden."Any loss of life is a tragedy. My heart goes out to the families of the victim and the officer," Barnes said.The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the completion of the investigation.