Man shot by deputies files federal suit

A man shot by Brunswick County deputies at his home nearly three years ago has filed a lawsuit.

Deputies Brian Carlisle and James Sheehan shot George Cooper at his home on Maco Road near Leland in May 2007 after they say he pointed a shotgun at them. A SBI investigation cleared the officers, while Cooper was charged with two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer.

In his federal complaint, Cooper says the officers violated his civil rights, specifically by using excessive force.

Cooper names former Sheriff Ron Hewett in the complaint. Evidence used to suspend Hewett from office included an audio recording of an apparently drunk Hewett telling deputies at the scene SBI agents told him Cooper’s gun was not loaded.

Current Sheriff John Ingram and other members of the department are also named as defendants.