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Sheriff’s Office: Cumberland deputy dismissed after shooting at vehicle

Sheriff’s Office says criminal investigation underway

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A deputy was fired after shooting at a vehicle when responding to a call Tuesday, and a criminal investigation is underway, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputy Luis Hernandez Jr. responded to a call at 10:45 p.m. Tuesday in reference to a suspicious vehicle with no headlights on parked in a cul-de-sac on Mercedes Drive, the Sheriff’s Office said in a release.

As Hernandez approached the car, he saw three people inside. The deputy asked the occupants to show their hands, and they complied, putting their hands out the windows, the release said. Hernandez then told a front seat passenger to exit the car, and he did, the release said. The vehicle then drove off, and Hernandez fired seven shots at the moving vehicle, the release said.

No injuries have been reported, the release said.

Hernandez was fired Friday following an internal personnel investigation by the department’s Office of Professional Standards into his response to the call, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Another investigation has begun into whether the former deputy engaged in criminal conduct in firing his weapon as part of his response to the incident, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Hernandez, 40, had been with the Sheriff’s Office since March 18, 2019.

Cumberland County, Sheriff's Office, deputy, shooting

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