Updated 11 a.m. Thursday
The sheriff’s office is investigating after a driver in a traffic stop shot himself in the head Wednesday.
In a press release, the CCSO said a deputy on patrol in Evergreen stopped the man for a moving violation in the 10000 block of Haynes Lennon Road.
“During the course of the vehicle stop, the 21-year-old male driver of the vehicle was seriously injured from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” the release said. The driver was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital.
Neither the name of the driver or the deputy have been released. The driver is a white male from Bladen County, who was being stopped for speeding and careless and reckless driving, the CCSO said.
The CCSO contacted District Attorney Jon David and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation to ensure transparency in the investigation.
“This is a truly tragic incident,” David said. “My thoughts and prayers are with the victim and the victim’s family. Based on what I know of the case, I do not feel the need to call for an outside investigation. I am confident that Columbus County Sheriff’s Office can conduct their own review.”
This investigation is being conducted by Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division. The press release said Sheriff Jody Greene and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office are praying for the victim and his family.
