WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating after attempts to apprehend a person turned into a fatal shooting by deputies from Thursday night into Friday morning.
New Hanover County deputies shot and killed 34-year-old Steven Ryan Todd in the shooting near South Kerr Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, according to District Attorney Ben David.
“There’s someone who has lost their life, and when that happens at the hands of law enforcement in a shooting that we’re about to detail, the protocol never changes,” said David.
David said that the incident began as an attempted traffic stop at around 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, in connection to a stolen truck, boat and some stolen guns. There was a chase, but it was called off to protect the public.
Then, at around 11 p.m., another stop was attempted and the suspect hit a law enforcement vehicle head on, per David. It was after this that deputies fired their weapons and killed Todd, according to officials. The DA said during the press conference that a loaded gun was found in the truck.
“The suspect refused to comply with the detectives, and actually struck a sheriff’s vehicle head on, causing a very serious crash into the telephone poles,” David said.
The truck had at least 40 bullet holes in the windshield.
“They jumped out of the truck with guns drawn, jumped on this man’s hood. No ‘freeze, get out of the car, show me your hands,’ nothing. They just unload a lot of rounds in his windshield,” said Michael Hatton, who claims to have witnessed the shooting.
Sheriff Ed McMahon said that the three officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave.
“These were senseless acts of lawlessness that were geared against not only the community but against our law enforcement,” said McMahon. “And I do want to say that I’m very proud of our detectives, once again putting themselves in harm’s way to keep this community safe.”
Officials did not reveal the names of the deputies involved.
According to records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, Todd has misdemeanor convictions dating back to 2013. He was convicted of felony larceny of a motor vehicle in 2019. Earlier this year, Todd was convicted on charges including larceny, breaking and entering, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He was sentenced to 24 months of probation.
Law enforcement had a portion of South Kerr Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard closed in the morning of Friday, June 14. The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and the Wilmington Police Department were also on scene of the investigation.
You can watch a full recording of the press conference held on Friday, June 14, with McMahon and David below.
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