A Georgia sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed Saturday night while responding to a domestic violence call in Hiram.

The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office said Deputy Brandon “Cunningham was shot as he exited his patrol vehicle, never even seeing the threat.”

The suspect continued to fire at the deputies, keeping Cunningham’s partner and backup who arrived on the scene from rendering aid. Deputies were able to reach him once an armored vehicle was deployed. He was taken to a hospital but died later that evening.

The sheriff’s office said a 52-year-old woman, identified as Kim Thao Vu, was also shot as she tried to leave the house after Cunningham, 30, was gunned down. She too was taken to a hospital, where she was said to be in stable but serious condition.

Multiple SWAT teams from agencies throughout the area arrived on scene to try to capture the suspect. Eventually, they were able to enter the house, and when they did, they found the suspect dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

He was identified as James Samuel Atkins, 42.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is now handling the investigation into the shooting.

Cunningham is the first Paulding County deputy to die in the line of duty, Sheriff Gary Gulledge said.

“Brandon was a great deputy and a hard worker,” Gulledge said. “My heart breaks for his family, friends, and our staff. This senseless act of violence will never be understood.”

Cunningham had been with the department since 2020 and had two young children, the department said.

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[Featured image: Brandon Cunningham/Paulding County Sheriff’s Office]