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Autopsy: Wake Deputy Ned Byrd shot four times, three times to head

The autopsy for fallen Wake County Deputy Ned Byrd shows he was shot four times, including three shots to the back of the head, and shot in his ballistic vest.

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By
Adam Owens
, WRAL anchor/reporter

The autopsy for fallen Wake County Deputy Ned Byrd shows he was shot four times, including three shots to the back of the head, and shot in his ballistic vest.

Warrants obtained by WRAL News show Byrd, a Wake County deputy, was on his way to K-9 training late in the evening of Aug. 11 when he noticed a suspicious, light-colored truck. Byrd pulled over to investigate, leaving his K-9 in the car.

Byrd was found dead around 1:06 a.m. on Aug. 12. Authorities found Byrd outside his parked patrol vehicle on the side of Battle Bridge Road in southeastern Wake County.

Surveillance video captured on Byrd's dashcam picked up the sound of six gunshots and shows the truck leaving the scene.

Brothers Arturo Marin-Sotelo, 29, and Alder Marin, 25, are charged with Byrd's murder.

Alder Alfonso Marin-Sotelo (left) and Arturo Marin-Sotelo

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said investigators continue to gather evidence to decide if the death penalty will be justified for the suspects accused of killing Deputy Byrd.

"We’ve known from the beginning of this case this was a tragic homicide [and] loss of a great officer," Freeman said. "The release of the autopsy report is just one phase that allows us to move forward in this case."

WRAL News spoke with Deputy Byrd’s sister, Mignon Perkins, yesterday, and she shared how she continues to honor her beloved brother every day.

"I just don't want anyone to forget him or who he was and who he stood for," Perkins said. "Time goes by and people forget. I don't want them to ever forget."

Freeman said a decision as to whether this will be capital punishment (death penalty) will be made in the next 30 to 90 days.

"I think it's important that we have the information so that we can move forward deliberately and judicially, and make sure that we are making the best decisions," Freeman said.

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