FIRST ON WWAY: Attorney says PTSD, stress caused Navassa officer to stage shooting

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Navassa Police Officer staged a shooting last year because of stress in his personal life and on the job.

That’s what the attorney for Thomas Cutler revealed in court today. Cutler is charged with filing a false police report and obstructing justice.

Cutler is the Navassa officer who said he was sitting in his patrol car on April 16 when he said someone shot at him. The bullet went through the car and his laptop. His attorney admitted Cutler fired the shots.

After the shooting, Cutler went through rounds of interviews and a polygraph. His attorney said he eventually confessed.

Cutler’s attorney says this was “out of character” and he “broke” because he was going through a breakup, along with other stress.

His attorney said Cutler is seeing a psychiatrist and has symptoms of PTSD and depression and is currently on medication. She also said Navassa Police Chief supports Cutler.

The state argued that town, county and SBI resources were used to hunt for the alleged shooter and that Cutler told lie after lie.

Cutler pleaded no contest. The state asked for supervised probation.

The judge continued judgement until June 29. Until then, Cutler must continue to see his doctor and take medication for PTSD, but there’s no guarantee he will get supervised probation at that time.

Navassa Police Chief Preston Howell says Cutler was placed on administrative leave on the day of the incident and then terminated from the police department on May 9.