Mecklenburg sheriff’s deputy shot during traffic stop, shoots back and hits driver
A Mecklenburg County sheriff’s deputy was shot during a traffic stop on Saturday, Sheriff Garry McFadden said.
The deputy, Dijon Whyms, suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to the sheriff. Whyms is recovering after a successful surgery Sunday morning, sheriff’s office officials said.
The suspect, Aidan Cole Bryant, was in surgery Saturday night, McFadden said at a 7:30 p.m. news conference at the scene.
Whyms was shot after stopping a vehicle about 4:15 p.m. on Salome Church Road, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. Salome Church Road is off North Tryon Street in northeast Charlotte.
As the deputy approached the vehicle, Bryant “fired multiple shots, striking Deputy Whyms,” according to the release. “Deputy Whyms returned fire, injuring the suspect.”
McFadden said he didn’t know how many shots were fired and hasn’t seen “any footage” of the encounter.
Whyms and Bryant were taken to separate hospitals before Bryant was transferred to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, where the deputy was taken, McFadden said. Bryant was “in custody” at the hospital Saturday night, the sheriff said.
Whyms was in stable condition Saturday night, according to the sheriff.
“He gave me the thumbs up,” McFadden told reporters. “He was in good spirit’s when I left.”
McFadden said he assured Whyms’ mother, sisters and other family that “we will take care of him.”
Whyms has been to his home for meals, including at Thanksgiving and Christmas, the sheriff told reporters. McFadden said he invites many deputies to the holiday meals.
Whyms has worked for the Sheriff’s Office since 2002, according to the release.
“Having been in this situation many times in my past career, it is more difficult to process as a leader,” McFadden said in a statement. “I am grateful for MEDIC, Charlotte Fire Department, CMPD, North Carolina Highway Patrol, Atrium Security and especially grateful for Officer Topper, who administered a tourniquet to Deputy Whyms.
“It gave me great comfort seeing my brothers uniting to support the sheriff’s office during this difficult time,” the sheriff said.
“Details surrounding the traffic stop are still developing,” according to the release.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers are handling the investigation, the sheriff said. CMPD released no information about the case by 8:30 p.m.
“This is a fluid investigation,” the sheriff told reporters, saying he didn’t want to divulge details that “could jeopardize this case.”
“This is the type of world we live in,”McFadden said. “I just had a conversation with the White House and others about the violent world we live in” and the violence encountered by officers.
This story was originally published February 19, 2022 at 6:57 PM.