Suspect killed after shooting at deputies, taking woman hostage at Wrightsville Beach, authorities say

New Hanover County Sheriff's Office deputies were shot at Friday on South College Road, and the suspected shooter is dead, according to authorities.

Law enforcement and the District Attorney's Office identified William Brent Gilmore as the man killed. He was 35.

Authorities said Gilmore, fired shots at them after zip-tying a woman and putting her in a storage closet.

"When I saw the commotion I thought it was a car accident," said Carolyn Green, witness.

Several cars were badly damaged as authorities tried stopping suspect William Gilmore from getting away.

Freddy Reyes went to the hospital for minor injuries after his red SUV was struck.

Three New Hanover County deputies and a Wilmington police officer shot at Gilmore, authorities said.

Authorities said there were four incidents between Thursday night and Friday, three in the city of Wilmington and another at Wrightsville Beach. Law enforcement said they believe the man shot and killed was the only person involved.

"We are confident that this is the same suspect from the two incidents [Thursday]," Wilmington Police Chief Donny Williams said.

Williams said police received a ShotSpotter notification on Thursday night on Dixie Avenue near Wrightsville Avenue. No one was injured, he said.

Wilmington police received another report of a shooting on Thursday night on Lake Avenue near Ikner Lane, Williams said. He said a 54-year-old woman suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

"Our prayers are with her on a speedy and healthy recovery," Williams said. "Our officers and detectives jumped on this immediately and they started working the case first thing [Friday] morning."

Williams said Wilmington police officers began surveillance on Friday on Market Street near Barnard Drive.

According to Williams, officers tried to stop the man in his car at Eastwood Road and Market Street. The man got away and one of the police cars wound up in a retention pond.

"The suspect displayed a firearm," Williams said. "He fled the pit and he ended up crashing into a civilian vehicle at the intersection of Lennon [Drive] and Market [Street]."

Law enforcement have recovered shell casings at one of the scenes.

"Obviously, it's a tough job all the time," said Wrightsville Beach Police Chief David Squires. "Today is just one of those difficult days and we couldn't be prouder of our people."

Squires said Wrightsville Beach police responded to multiple calls for service. He said it was confusing whether there were actually shots being fired on Friday, and whether anyone was injured.

Officers found shell casings in the roadway on Scotch Bonnet Lane and near a home, Squires said.

People on the beach "rendered aid" to women and children running from one of the houses, according to Squires.

Squires said someone on the beach told police about a car they believed to be involved, a black sedan with no license plate.

According to Squires, a woman who works as a cleaning lady arrived at a home to let an exterminator in. While waiting for the exterminator, the man driving the black sedan arrived. The woman told police she let the man inside the home. Squires said he was looking for keys.

Squires said the woman was "zip-tied and assaulted."

The woman had also brought her kids to enjoy a day at the beach, Squires said.

"When the children came to check on the adult, there was some confusion," Squires said. "And the door opened, it was a run-for-your-life [situation]."

The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect from the Wrightsville Beach incident was spotted on College Road.

According to the sheriff's office, as soon as deputies arrived, the man got out of his car and began shooting at deputies.

South College Road was shut down in the New Centre Drive area, not far from the Walmart and minutes from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

"I am extremely proud of the three deputies and the police officer who acted heroically that went and eliminated the threat," said Sheriff Edward McMahon.

The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is investigating the shooting.

"The community should draw no negative inference from the fact that the two involved agencies that used gunfire and I have requested SBI outside investigation," said New Hanover and Pender County District Attorney Ben David. "We simply do that in 100% of the cases."

No deputies or members of the public were hurt from the shooting.

WECT.com contributed to this story.