Governor says man dead in officer-involved shooting in Lumberton during flood

LUMBERTON, NC (WTVD) -- On Wednesday evening, the State Highway Patrol has identified the man fatally shot by a state trooper as Dennis Hunt, 56, of Lumberton.

Gov. Pat McCrory said at a morning news conference Tuesday that a man is dead in Lumberton after a shooting Monday night involving a North Carolina Highway Patrol officer and two deputies with the Robeson County Sheriff's Office during a high water situation.

According to authorities, around 8 p.m. the two deputies were accompanying a State Highway Patrol sergeant on search-and-rescue operations along a flooded portion of west Fifth Street when they encountered the man.

Officials said the man became hostile toward the officers and displayed a handgun. After observing the handgun, the sergeant shot the man.

"I am proud that our first responders were in the community rendering aid to our citizens," said Colonel Bill Grey, commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol in a statement. "While we are saddened by any loss of life, I am thankful that our member and the Robeson County Sheriffs' deputies were not injured."

At the request of the Highway Patrol, the State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting. Authorities said the sergeant - identified as J. F. Hinson - has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation, which is standard operating procedure in any Patrol-involved shooting.

Hinson is a 13-year veteran of the Highway Patrol.