Sampson County deputy shot after suspect puts her in stranglehold, gun goes off during struggle

The Sampson County Sheriff's Office told WRAL News the deputy was shot after responding to a vehicle theft on Hayne Stretch Road outside of Roseboro around 2 a.m.

The office said that shortly after making contact with the suspects, the deputy, Caitlin Emanuel, called for help. Another deputy responded and discovered that Emanuel had been shot in the leg.

Sheriff Jimmy Thornton told the media that Emanuel was shot after the suspect put her in a stranglehold, causing her weapon to fire at some point during the skirmish.

“We got a call of a stolen vehicle and of course, she responded and saw the vehicle," Thornton said. "Soon thereafter, an individual came up and she approached the individual to start questioning and everything and he put a [stranglehold] around her neck. Her weapon went off.”

Emanuel was airlifted to WakeMed and underwent surgery. Although she broke a bone in her leg from the scuffle, she is expected to recover from her injuries.

One suspect, 36-year-old Michael Walthall Jr. of Pennsylvania, was taken into custody on Sir Lane. Walthall is believed to have been staying with people in the area.

For hours, officers searched for a second suspect but later ruled out that possibility.

Thornton said this has never happened before in his time in office.

The shooting is difficult for the sheriff’s department.

Deputy Emanuel has been with the office for a little more than two years.

“She is young, like a lot of our officers now," said Thornton.

Thornton asked for the community to keep Emanuel in their thoughts and prayers.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Clinton police, the NC State Bureau of Investigation, Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and Sampson County emergency services all responded.

Investigators were stationed outside a restaurant at the corner of Hayne Stretch Road and Butner Island Road.