FIRST ON 3: No confirmation Smith was armed when shot and killed

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — As details continue to be released regarding the shooting and killing of Brandon Smith by a New Hanover County Sheriff’s Deputy, one big fact cannot be confirmed yet – whether or not Smith was armed when he was shot.

A request for confirmation from the Sheriff’s Office was referred to the SBI, which is investigating the shooting.

An SBI spokeswoman said she couldn’t confirm whether or not he had a gun, because the shooting is still under investigation.

Investigators say Smith shot a deputy in the leg late Thursday morning in Creekwood. Investigators say he showed back up in the area Sunday afternoon, then led officers on a chase that ended in Castle Hayne on a dead end street.