Bullet stopped by NC trooper’s ballistic vest, suspect killed

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Buncombe County District Attorney said a veteran trooper was justified in using deadly force after he was shot during a traffic stop on July 3.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) said at approximately 7:35 p.m., a trooper with the State Highway Patrol was shot while assisting a stranded motorist on I-26 West near mile marker 33. The motorist took out a gun, fired and hit Trooper Jeffrey L. Dunlap in the chest.

Trooper Dunlap’s ballistic vest stopped the round and he was able to return fire, hitting the suspect. The suspect, 57-year-old Wesley Scott Taylor of Leicester, NC, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Trooper Dunlap is a 13-year veteran assigned to Buncombe County. He was taken to a local hospital for observation and later released.

In accordance with agency protocol, Trooper Dunlap was placed on administrative leave while the shooting was being investigated by the State Bureau of Investigation.

District Attorney Todd Williams said after reviewing the dashcam footage of the shooting, he found Dunlap was justified in use of deadly force. He released photos of the bullet stopped by Dunlap’s vest and of the suspect pointing his gun at Dunlap.

“No criminal charges will be filed in this matter and the NC SBI may close this investigation. I informed Taylor’s family of this decision today,” Williams said. “The DA’s Office thanks all of our courageous law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line daily to ensure public safety.”

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