Cumberland Co. deputy on leave as questions swirl about man's shooting

The Fayetteville Police Department said 37-year-old Jason Walker ran into traffic and jumped onto a truck driven by the deputy Saturday along Bingham Drive near Shenandoah Drive.

Hash shot Walker and called 911. Hash, who has been with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office since 2005 and was recently serving as a lieutenant, was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins said in a press conference Sunday that at some point the windshield wiper had been torn off the truck and used to break the windshield, although it is not clear at what point in the altercation this took place.

Protesters took to the streets, marching through downtown Fayetteville, united in their question: who’s being held responsible for Jason Walker’s death?

The crowd Sunday challenged the statement from Fayetteville police about what happened leading to the shooting.

Those who claim to have witnessed the shooting are emphatic, they say Hash hit Walker with his truck.

"The [truck's] computer did not record any impact with any person or thing. We currently have no witnesses that anyone was hit by this truck," said Hawkins.

Elizabeth Ricks said she was on the scene and watched the entire situation unfold. As a trauma nurse, she jumped into action and tried to save Walker's life.

"I did not see anyone in distress. The man was just walking home," said Ricks.

WRAL News spoke with one of Walker’s cousins, who says the chief’s comments don’t sound like the man he grew up with.

Ricks' husband captured video of the aftermath, showing the arrival of police and EMT.

When they arrive, they did not ask Hash to hand over any weapons. Hawkins later confirmed they do have the deputy's weapon, but would not disclose what kind of gun it was.

Hawkins did confirm it was not the deputy's service weapon. Bystanders in the video tell officers they heard four gunshots.

Within 15 seconds of arriving, one officer briefly checked on Walker while Ricks worked to stop the bleeding.

Hawkins said Sunday the officer did not immediately help because they allowed Ricks, a trained nurse, to continue to administer care.

Roughly one minute later, EMS crews arrive on scene and take over rendering aid.

Before the video ends, Ricks can be heard shouting at Hash who replies that he was protecting his family.

"It breaks my heart he didn't survive, and I'm trying to cope with that as well," said Ricks at Sunday's march. "I don't want to take away from Jason or the injustice, and I'm not going to be silent."

WRAL News spoke with Walker's family who describe him as a happy go-lucky man with a big heart.

"I was sad. That’s my best friend. We were really close," said Cousin Brittany Monroe. "It really broke my heart because he would never hurt anyone. I don’t understand how it could happen to him. He would do anything for anybody."

Another cousin told WRAL News Sunday the chief’s comments don’t sound like the man he grew up with.

"We’re hearing one side of the story that sounds like a person that Jason is not, and then on the other side, we’re hearing a story that makes complete sense," he said. "We have to take it one day at a time. Hopefully the system does what’s right and gets to the bottom of this. We really just want justice for Jason."

He tells us the family’s shocked, still grieving, and still just as eager for answers about what really happened Saturday.

"It hurts because we don’t understand. It breaks our heart," said Monroe. "Jason will forever be remembered in a good way because he was a good person."

The family told WRAL News Walker was a single father. He left behind one young son.

Fayetteville police have turned the investigation over to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Anyone with information regarding the investigation can contact the SBI at (919) 662-4500.