LUMBERTON, N.C. – A man was shot and killed during a confrontation with law enforcement during the flooding in Lumberton on Monday, Gov. Pat McCrory said.
A North Carolina State Highway Patrol sergeant and two members of the Robeson County Sheriff’s office were driving in a Humvee through high water west of Fifth Street around 8 p.m. as part of search and rescue operations.
The officers encountered a man who became hostile and displayed a handgun, officials said.
The Highway Patrol sergeant shot and killed the man after seeing the man’s weapon.
“I am proud that our first responders were in the community rendering aid to our citizens,” said Col. Bill Grey, commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. “While we are saddened by any loss of life, I am thankful that our member and the Robeson County Sheriffs’ deputies were not injured.”
McCrory said the shooting occurred in “very difficult circumstances.”
On Wednesday, the victim was identified as 56-year-old Dennis Hunt of Lumberton.
The sergeant has been identified as J. F. Hinson. Hinson is a 13-year veteran assigned to the Troop B District 7 Lumberton State Highway Patrol office in Robeson County. He has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation which is standard operating procedure in any Patrol involved shooting.
The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating.
