Craig Patrick Handzel Obituary, Death;- Authorities have disclosed the identity of a man who was shot and killed by a deputy in Cumberland County over the weekend. On Tuesday morning, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation confirmed that he was Craig Patrick Handzel.
This incident originated on Sunday night, when deputies from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office responded at approximately 9:58 p.m. to the 4000 block of Airline Drive to assist the Pearce’s Mill Fire Department.
According to the sheriff’s office, the fire department was attempting to extinguish a brush fire and requested law enforcement assistance after noticing a man on the scene armed with a gun. After searching the nearby area, deputies encountered the armed individual, later identified as Handzel, on the 4000 block of Catherine Drive and promptly instructed him to drop the weapon.
At that moment, the suspect aimed the gun at the deputies, prompting one of them to discharge their weapon at him, as reported by the sheriff’s office. Deputies attempted to administer life-saving measures until EMS crews arrived, but Handzel was declared dead at the scene.
As is standard procedure for any critical incident involving a deputy, the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation has been notified and will lead the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The deputies involved will be placed on administrative leave while an internal review is conducted, according to the sheriff’s office.
Anyone possessing information regarding this investigation is encouraged to reach out to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office of Internal Affairs at (910) 677-5420 or the State Bureau of Investigation at 919-662-4500.
