Woman shot by deputy who responded to domestic assault call charged weeks after crime
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Authorities arrested a woman on Wednesday in connection with a Cumberland County shooting involving a deputy last month.
On Nov. 25, around 6:30 p.m., the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office responded to a domestic call in the 6700 block of Camden Road in Fayetteville.
When deputies got there, they said they came across a person with a knife, later named as Dorothy Lakay Simpkins, 46, of Fayetteville. The deputy instructed her to drop the knife, but Simpkins lunged toward the deputy with the knife, CCSO said. That's when the deputy shot Simpkins, who was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Simpkins was charged Wednesday with assault with a deadly weapon on a family member and felony assault with a deadly weapon on a government official.
She made her first court appearance on Thursday.
Simpkins, 46, appeared in court after being booked into the Cumberland County jail Wednesday night. Prosecutors say the Nov. 25 incident began with a domestic disturbance call involving her 78-year-old mother, Mae Swink.
According to prosecutors, Simpkins allegedly slashed her mother's arm with a knife. Although Simpkins has no prior criminal record, prosecutors said in court that she has a long history of assaulting her mother.
Corporal Tyreek Brown responded to the call and encountered Simpkins armed with a knife, prosecutors said. After Brown ordered her to drop the weapon, officials said Simpkins refused and then lunged toward him, prompting the deputy to fire. Prosecutors said Corporal Brown was not injured.
In court on Thursday, she told the judge she has schizophrenia and said she was hearing voices on the night of the incident.
Simpkins is charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a family member and felony assault with a deadly weapon on a government official.
Her bond was increased to $200,000.
Neighbor Toni Stewart told ABC11: "That was crazy. You know, it's really close to home."
Simpkins is being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $102,500.00 secured bond. Her first court appearance is set for 2:30 p.m. on Thursday.
If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Homicide Detective Fisk at (910) 677-5463.
