911 calls shed light on shooting involving off-duty deputy in Fayetteville

Ben Crump, an attorney known for representing the families of George Floyd, killed by a Minneapolis police officer, and Andrew Brown, shot by Pasquotank deputies in Elizabeth City, N.C., has stepped into the case of a man shot in Cumberland County over the weekend.

Posted 4:31 p.m. Jan 11, 2022 — Updated 9:33 p.m. Jan 12, 2022

Joe Fisher

, WRAL Reporter, Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter & Keenan Willard, WRAL Eastern North Carolina reporter

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Newly-released 911 calls and transcripts could shed light on the moments surrounding the death of Jason Walker, who was shot and killed by an off-duty Cumberland County deputy over the weekend.

His death has sparked protests around Fayetteville.

The 911 call between Lt. Jeffery Hash and a 911 operator in the moments following the shooting was released on Tuesday. The following has been transcribed by WRAL News so far:

Fayetteville 911. What is the address of your emergency?

Yes m'aam, its an emergency. I am on Shenandoah and Bingham Drive. I just had a man jump on my vehicle and broke my windshield. I just shot him. I am a Lt. with the Cumberland County S.O.

You just shot him? You said you just shot him?

Yes, he jumped on my car.

I understand what you are saying. I am just trying to get help to you, ok. What is your name?

I am a Lt. with the Cumberland County S.O.

Listen to me. Are you right beside the subject?

I am.

Is he breathing?

No ma'am, he is gone. He is gone ma'am. No, ma'am, he is gone ma'am.

When did this happen?

Just now. There are people gathering.

What type of vehicle are you in?

I am in a red Ford F150. He shattered my windshield.

Ok, I understand. What kind of vehicle was he in?

Keep moving, ma'am. I’m a deputy sheriff. Come here. He jumped on my vehicle. I just had to shoot him.

Can you tell me what happened?

I was driving down the road, and he came flying across Bingham Drive, running, and then I stopped so I wouldn’t hit him, and he jumped on my car and started screaming. Pulled my windshield wipers off and started beating my windshield and broke my windshield. I have my wife and my daughter in my vehicle.

Did he have a weapon, sir?

No, he just tore my wipers off and started beating the door, and busted my windshield.

Take a deep breath for me. How many people are surrounding you?

Do what now?

How many people are around you?

There are tons of cars. There are people gathering around. Someone in the background says he is alive.

Where was he shot?

He has a light pulse right now. Need EMS here right now.

Where was he shot?

I have a trauma nurse out here.

Can somebody tell me where he was shot?

Do you see the holes, ma'am?

Is she getting a clean, dry cloth?

Here's a towel.

Alright, just focus on me right now. Does someone have a clean, dry cloth?

Yes, we are plugging the holes now.

Where did you shoot him?

I don’t know. He was on the front of my vehicle.

Where is the entry point?

I do not know.

Do not engage with them.

They are hostile.

Are they right there beside you? Are they beside you?

They are pulling up now.

Stay on the line with me. Do not engage with the people.

I am just trying to protect my family.

A link to the full call is here.

The Fayetteville Police Department said 37-year-old Walker ran into traffic and jumped onto a truck driven by Hash.

Hash told police that Walker "ran across the street, so I stopped. He jumped on my car and started screaming. He broke off my windshield wiper and started beating the glass."

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

Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins says the digital data does not support witnesses who say Hash hit Walter 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," she said.

A video taken by the husband of a trauma nurse who was attending to Walker on the scene shows the aftermath of the shooting.

Crump's office announced on Tuesday that it had been retained by the family of Jason Walker, who was shot and killed by an off-duty Cumberland County deputy Saturday along Bingham Drive near Shenandoah Drive.

On Monday, the FBI joined the investigation and Hash was put on administrative leave while facts are gathered. The State Bureau of Investigation will conduct an investigation into whether Hash committed a crime. The FBI will determine if Walker's civil rights were violated.

In a meeting Monday night, the Fayetteville City Council elected to call formally for the Department of Justice to come to Fayetteville to launch their own investigation and participate in the ongoing investigation.

Walker's family has created a GoFundMe to help with expenses, writing, "Walker bled to death on the scene and leaves behind a son, who will have to navigate a life without the nurturing and guidance of his father. No amount of money will replace his fathers presence but any monetary gift will assist with the burdens that will fall upon his surviving family members."

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