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Detention officer shot, killed outside home

Submitted by WWAY on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 6:52am.READ MORE:

Investigators say a New Hanover County Detention Officer has died from her injuries suffered during an early-morning shooting.

The New Hanover County Sheriff's says 27-year-old Tarica Ann Pulliam was ambushed outside her home on Briarcliff Circle around 5:15 a.m. Deputies say she was shot several times and was taken to New Hanover Regional Medical Center, where she later died.

Investigators are searching for 30-year-old Anthony Antwand Bowen, who they say is a person of interest in the case. Bowen is described as a light-skinned black male.

The Sheriff's Office says it is treating this as a high priority case, because the victim is one of their own. Pulliam has worked for the county for two years.

Anyone with information should call the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office at (910) 798-4200.

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Always smiling.....

Submitted by Robin (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 7:27pm.

I will miss working with you and seeing your big smile! Rest In Peace Girl.....

God bless her soul. I will

Submitted by D.O. (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 4:37pm.

God bless her soul. I will miss her smile

Killer arrested in 2002 for kidnapping and rape

Submitted by Victims advocate (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 4:16pm.

Alleged killer and ex-boyfriend of the detention officer shot and killed this morning has a violent history of assaults against women. He was arrested for raping and kidnapping a woman in Pender County in 2002, the charges were reduced and it could be that because he was not in prison for 20 years like he should be, he endangered a community, killed someone and created an orphan .

Yet another woman who filed a protective order in vain !!

Submitted by erica (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 3:34pm.

I know for a fact that tarica had a protective order aganist this man..... What is goin on with the justice system that malicious ex boyfriends & husbands can still willfully & spitefully carry out their sick acts of vengence DESPITE there being a protective order!!!!! Some protection that is !!!!!

All a restrianing order is,

Submitted by 45MagnumMan (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 4:18pm.

All a restrianing order is, is a piece of paper. If anyone thinks that a restraining order is going to protect them then they need to look at the statistics. Sometimes we just have to take matters into our own hands. I live a block away from where this poor unfortunate lady was gunned down. My neighborhood was saturated with officers from about 5:15 this morning until about 7:30. We only have so many officers so they cant sit out side of peoples houses trying to protect them form idiots that can control their tempers. Buy a gun and holster it. If need be let the bullets fly.

protective order

Submitted by Das Weibstück on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 4:09pm.

A piece of paper can not protect anyone. Only a law abiding citizen would follow a protective order so it is really a waste of paper and time. I am so sorry for this young woman and her family.

IN MY PRAYERS

Submitted by TRINA (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 3:02pm.

MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY OF TARICA I'LL KEEP YALL IN MY PRAYERS. TARICA WAS A NICE AND SWEET PERSON WE GROW UP JUST A BLOCK FROM EACH OTHER AND WENT TO THE SAME SCHOOLS. I'M SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT HER PASSING.

TRASH

Submitted by Chad (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 1:52pm.

Hopefully this person will be taken in a body bag. And no, I don't care if that's a plesant thing to say. I'm sick of the 'do nothings' running this town. Wilmington has gone from a great place to live, to making it well into the NATIONS Top 100 most DANGEROUS places to live. Just as another reader noted, there are HUNDREDS of children on the street waiting for their bus in this community where the incident took place. This guy is trash, and I can't WAIT to see his rap sheet, b/c he undoubtedly has one.

Wilmington? Top 100 most dangerous communities?

Submitted by Guest of the Week (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 6:25pm.

Please cite a reference for that accusation.

Ilm #8 most dangerous

Submitted by Das Weibstück on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 7:03pm.

CITIES OF 75,000 TO 99,999 POPULATION: (120 cities) MOST DANGEROUS: #8 Wilmington, NC http://www.morganquitno.com/cit04pop.htm No idea where they get the info on the site.

crime ranks

Submitted by Guestoops (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 7:20pm.

# 78 Wilmington, NC pop: 97,381 (CQ Press) 78th most dangerous out of 378.....300 are safer than us. Great huh?

wilmington rank

Submitted by Urafi on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 7:10pm.

According to CQ Press, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Winston-Salem, Wilmington, Greensboro, Durham, and High Point all ranked in the top 125 most dangerous cities. The list was based on crimes and population.

I fully agree

Submitted by Dave48404 (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 3:52pm.

You know what Chad? I fully agree with you. As long as people continually fail to act, we will continue to see tragedies like this. Maybe the fact the the victim in this case was a law enforcement officer will inspire those involved to follow this case to the fullest extent. My condolences to her family, for this truly is a horrible tragedy.

Saddness

Submitted by crying (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 1:19pm.

God bless her family for their loss. I do hope she rests in peace. When he is found, I hope he suffers for his crimes. SOB!

I pray for her small child

Submitted by Hoggard grad "00" (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 1:08pm.

i am deaply sadden for the family of tarica...she was a sweet girl......I pray for her family....and her daughter...god bless....Hoggard class of 1999 and 2000....come together and pray for this family......

police were out at 5:30am

Submitted by Whitney (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 12:55pm.

Acutally the police were on the road at 5:30 this am i go to work at that time and there were tons of them in the white rd/ harris rd neighbor and they did a good job, so look out the window before people say they weren't. The response way kick andvery professional!!!!

Somewhere along the way, the

Submitted by GuestDKB (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 12:47pm.

Somewhere along the way, the FOCUS of this incident shifted from the FACT that one of New Hanover County's innocent, crime-fighting, law enforcement officers was murdered in her own home environment, with her killer still at large! Does she have children? If so, what will become of them without their mother? How is her family dealing with this horrible, needless event, that has certainly disoriented & overwhelmed them unimaginably. They need our prayers, as well as all law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line everyday, so that the rest of us can live in freedom in our homes.

She will be missed.

Submitted by Steph Price (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 10:43am.

This is sad. Downright Sad. Tarica was a fun loving sweet girl who simply loved life. I'm so sorry that something like this happened... She will be missed.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY

Submitted by ASJ (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 10:01am.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!! I HOPE THEY FIND THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS! NOW WE HAVE A HARD WORKING YOUNG WOMAN DECEASED! SHE WAS ONLY 27 YEARS OLD FOR GOODNESS SAKE!! HIS INTENTIONS HAD TO BE MURDER IF SHE WAS SHOT ON HER WAY TO HER CAR. FIRST HE WAS LOOKIN AT ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES, NOW SHE HAS DIED AND THIS IS JUST SAD!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS THE FAMILY

manhunt

Submitted by Amazed (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 7:41am.

While a manhunt was ongoing, do you not think it would have been wise that the area school, (Eaton Elementary) should have been notified. The calling system could have notified parents not to leave their children unattended at area bus stops. How risky was that.

Eaton was on lockdown.....

Submitted by Guest of knowing a few facts (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 2:59pm.

Per a parent who called me to find out what the heck was going on out there, she said Eaton was on lockdown until 1030. Why would students waiting at a bus stop know this unless somebody from the school drove around and told them. Why do people just jump to the conclusion that somebody screwed up and that Law Enforcement is to blame. What happened to parents looking out their windows and asking these questions. I guess working out was more important, I guess getting to Port City Java was more important, you get my point. Lets not shift the focus about whats going on here. A woman and a Deputy is dead because of an idiot that does not have the guts to be a man and walk away. There was a Domestic Violence order in effect. This guy is a loser and his family needs to be the first to stand up against him and help us find him, or his body(because he probably took the easy way out), and get him into custody. Sad day in NH County not only for the Sherrifs Ofiice loss but a good citizen and mom was taken away from the community today.

Yes you are correct that

Submitted by amazed (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 8:18pm.

Yes you are correct that Eaton was on a lockdown, when I pulled into the parking lot to drop my son off, i spoke with the assistant principal to notify him of what was going on. He had not heard anything about this. My point was that when there is a manhunt going on with a lunatic possessing a gun, the sheriffs office should have called the school district which in turn would place a call to every parent (through the innovative calling system) to notify parents of the situation. They certainly can call us to let us know about other trivial matters. My thoughts and prayers do go out to this family, especially her daughter, and I hope and pray that he is caughter and justice is served.

i think the kids would be

Submitted by tom (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 12:10pm.

i think the kids would be safe this was a crime of passion this was not a random shooting he new what he was doing

you should not leave your

Submitted by Guestguest (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 10:53am.

you should not leave your kids unattended anythng could happen.

....

Submitted by Guest999 (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 10:11am.

Excellent point. I was drving to work by way of Gordon Road this morning around 7:30 and there were so many law enforcement, marked and unmarked cars dashing in and out of the side streets off Gordon Rd. Dangerous situation. Potential hostage situation with a crazed gunman on the loose and innocent children at bus stops... I certainly hope they catch whomever did this and I pray the young lady will be alright.

if your kid is out there

Submitted by hlo (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 9:47am.

if your kid is out there 5:15 in the morning you might need to change schools

You obviously missed the

Submitted by amazed (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 8:13pm.

You obviously missed the point. I did not say that childrern were out at 5:15, there was a manhunt during the time that children would be waiting at a bus stop. As crazed as he was to shoot someone, most of all a mother, who knows what he would be capable of!

the police were on the roads

Submitted by Theresa (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 11:42am.

the police were on the roads at 7:30 this morning NOT 5:15 !!!

My friend's sister lives in

Submitted by Wilmingtonian (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 1:09pm.

My friend's sister lives in Alamosa and heard the gunshots, she said the place was covered with policy & choppers within 5 minutes. I think our whole town should be on the lookout, this maniac has nothing to lose now and we know he has a gun, he could highjack a car to make a getaway or burst into someone's home to hide, taking them hostage, or even worse....I pray they catch him immediately (and if anyone is hiding him out they should be charged and face severe reprocussions). God bless Ms. Pulliam's family for having to deal with this. The Maniac is scheduled to be in superior court on Monday, they'll never see him there unless he's caught before then!

actually they were out at 5:30

Submitted by Whitney (not verified) on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 1:01pm.

The police were actually out all over the neighbor hood of white rd/ harris rd at 5:30. I go to work at that time and they were swarming everywhere! I think their response was very professional and they did the best they could!

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