North Carolina agency asked to look into shooting by deputy

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation said Monday that its agents have been asked to look into a fatal shooting involving an off-duty sheriff’s deputy that sparked a local protest.

A news release said Fayetteville police Chief Gina Hawkins and the Cumberland County district attorney asked the NCSBI to conduct the investigation into the shooting that occurred on Saturday.

Earlier Monday, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office announced that Deputy Jeffrey Hash has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. Hash has been with the sheriff’s office since 2005.

Fayetteville police said a preliminary investigation determined Jason Walker, 37, “ran into traffic and jumped on a moving vehicle.” Hash shot Walker and then called 911, police said. Walker was pronounced dead at the scene.

A group of protesters that gathered outside police headquarters Sunday disputed the department’s account.

Elizabeth Ricks, who said she witnessed the incident and applied pressure to Walker’s wound, told the crowd that Walker was attempting to cross the street to get to his home when he was struck by the deputy’s truck and then shot by Hash.

Ricks told The News & Observer of Raleigh she was on the scene and watched the entire situation unfold.

Hawkins said during a news conference Sunday that investigators examined the black box computer of the truck, which did not record any impact with any person or thing.

In bystander video of the shooting’s aftermath, it appears the off-duty deputy had been driving a red truck that wasn’t a law enforcement vehicle. She said the only person at the scene who indicated they witnessed what happened said Walker was not struck by the truck.