Roanoke Rapids man killed in officer-involved shooting was shot in head

Garrett Nelson Brooks, 28, of Roanoke Rapids, was shot in the head during an officer-involved shooting, according to an autopsy report released Thursday.

Posted 1:25 a.m. Oct 25, 2013 — Updated 1:25 a.m. Oct 25, 2013

GREENVILLE, N.C. — A 28-year-old Roanoke Rapids man shot and killed by deputies in July died from a gunshot wound to the head, according to an autopsy report released Thursday by the East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine in Greenville.

Authorities say Garrett Nelson Brooks led sheriff's deputies from Wilson and Johnston counties on a chase after he allegedly robbed a convenience store in Smithfield, carjacked someone on July 21.

The pursuit ended on N.C. Highway 42 near Interstate 95 in Wilson County, with Brooks being killed.

According to a toxicology report, he had a blood alcohol concentration of .11 and had traces of an antidepressant drug in his blood.

Two deputies, John Harris, 30, of the Wilson County Sheriff's Office, and Robert Raetz, 41, of the Johnston County Sheriff's Office, were identified as being involved in the shooting.

Authorities have not said what led them to fire at Brooks.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is looking into the case. The status of the investigation wasn't clear Thursday night.

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