72-year-old shot and killed when gun goes off while dog attacks her son, NC cops say
A 72-year-old was visiting her son on Mother’s Day when she was shot and killed in North Carolina, officials said.
The son reportedly was fighting off a dog attack when the gun in his hand went off. A round struck his mom, who later died, according to the Rocky Mount Police Department’s initial investigation.
The deceased woman was identified in a news release as Sarah Hankerson.
The police department said it was called to a shooting just before 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 8. Officers responded to a home on Meadowbrook Road in Rocky Mount, roughly 60 miles northeast of Raleigh.
That’s where they report discovering the 72-year-old “experiencing a medical emergency. First responders began life saving measures and Hankerson was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
Officials said a preliminary investigation revealed a family dog had attacked her son, who was the animal’s owner. That’s when a “struggle ensued” between him and the dog, and the gun fired, according to Rocky Mount police.
As of May 8, officers urged anyone with information to call them at 252-972-1411 or Crime Stoppers at 252-977-1111. People can also use the MyRMT smartphone application or share tips via text message by texting them along with “RMPOL” to 274637.
This story was originally published May 10, 2022 at 2:05 PM with the headline "72-year-old shot and killed when gun goes off while dog attacks her son, NC cops say."
