Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Hayden Elias Brook
Gender : Male
Age : 29
Race : White
Date : 04/14/2024
Location : Mills River Campground
City : Henderson County
County : Henderson
State : North Carolina
Agency : Henderson County Sheriff’s Office
Officer(s) :Zachary Tatham, Stephen McDonald, Conner Newman
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Driver killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On April 13, 2024, at approximately 6:07 p.m., the Henderson County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a man with a gun threatening individuals at the North Mills River Campground. Deputies located a vehicle linked to the incident, driven by 29-year-old Hayden Elias Brook. Brook did not stop when officers approached, and police escalated a pursuit.
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The pursuit ended when Brook crashed his van at 3908 North Mills River Road. Deputies exited their vehicles and reported seeing Brook discharge a firearm. Deputies Lance Corporal Zachary Tatham, Stephen McDonald, and Conner Newman fired their weapons. Brook was pronounced dead at the scene.
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An autopsy later revealed that Brook died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The Henderson County Sheriff's Office reported Brook fired his weapon during the confrontation, but it is unclear from reports if any of the deputies’ shots struck him.
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The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent review of the incident.
