CHARLOTTE — Dashcam and bodycam video were released Thursday of a Mecklenburg County sheriff’s deputy who was shot five times before returning fire and hitting the suspect in northeast Charlotte earlier this year.
On Feb. 19, Deputy Dijon Whyms was flagged down by a man who said he needed help with his son, who was unstable, the sheriff said.
A car passed by driven by the son, Aidan Bryant. Whyms followed Bryant and pulled him over on Salome Church Road near Interstate 485 at about 4:15 p.m., according to the sheriff.
In the video, Whyms got out of his patrol car and approached the driver’s side of Bryant’s car.
Bryant fired multiple shots from his driver’s side window at Whyms, hitting the deputy several times, Sheriff Garry McFadden said.
Whyms could be seen retreating and falling to the ground while returning fire.
Bryant got back into this car and drove ahead a short distance, then got back out and turned toward the deputy.
“I think that he was going to come back and attempt to take my deputy’s life,” McFadden said.
Whyms continued firing, hitting Bryant, who got back in the car and drove away.
Soon after, the police, Charlotte Fire Department and paramedics got to the scene.
“We’re thankful for MEDIC,” McFadden said. “We’re thankful for CMPD. We’re thankful for highway patrol, especially the hospitals. They did exactly as they were trained to do.”
Whyms was taken to Atrium Health Main after being shot three times in the upper body and twice in the lower body. He was released from the hospital weeks later.
“All of (Whyms’) training kicked in,” McFadden said. “That’s one thing I’m proud of is how he handled himself. When you hear the audio he’s calm. He’s not that excited.”
McFadden said he hopes Whyms returns to the sheriff’s office.
“I want him to come back and have the conversation with the younger deputies to say, ‘This is why training is important,’ and ‘This is why I’m here today, because of my training,’” McFadden said.
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Bryant went to Mallard Creek Urgent Care, then was taken to Atrium Health Main. He was placed in custody after being treated.
Whyms is still out on leave recovering from his injuries. He will remain on administrative leave, which is standard protocol after an officer discharges a weapon.
(Watch the video below: Meck County deputy released from hospital after being shot in northeast Charlotte, authorities say)
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