'No time to react': Edgecombe sheriff says stabbing suspect had mental health issues, praises deputies

According to Atkinson, deputies responded to a home in the 4300 block of McNair Road around 2 p.m. after a woman called to report she was being chased by a man with a knife. Atkinson said the 32-year-old suspect "lunged out with the knife" as soon as the caller opened the door for deputies.

"And I tell you guys watching this on video, my deputy was stabbed within three seconds," Atkinson said. "My deputies had no time to react."

Atkinson said three deputies responded to the scene. After one deputy was stabbed two times, the suspect "ran at the second deputy" with a "large tactical-style pocket knife," the sheriff said. At that point the suspect was shot by deputies.

Atkinson called his injured deputy a hero, saying, "He protected the caller despite being stabbed. He remained calm, still providing professional instructions to the other two deputies on the scene. Yeah, he's a hero. Not me. Him."

The injured deputy was treated and released from Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.

Atkinson asked for prayers not only for his office but for the community and the suspect's family. He said the suspect suffered from mental health issues and explained his deputies had responded to that home several times before. He also talked about the importance of body cams and mental health awareness.

"We need help," he said, saying that he deals more now with mental health calls than ever before. "[Mental illness] is in my family, it's in yours. I'm asking that our citizens stand behind my office and my community during this trying time."

On Thursday after 2:10 p.m., Sky 5 video showed authorities surrounding the single-story home, which was surrounded by crime scene tape. McNair Road was shut down into the evening.

"I feel bad for all of them," said Gay Lucas, a neighbor. "Just afraid for the deputy and his family and the suspect's family."

The State Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate the incident, and all three deputies are on administrative leave, which is standard protocol for an officer or deputy-involved shooting.