Wounded Deputy Discharged From Hospital After Shooting

CHARLOTTE, NC — Law enforcement officers waited outside Atrium Health Main early Monday to celebrate the release of Deputy Dijon Whyms after he received treatment for a gunshot wound.

Whyms was involved in a shooting on Friday afternoon near Salome Church Road, and new details have been released surrounding the incident.

According to the sheriff's office, Whyms was flagged down by a driver who told him he needed help with his "unstable" son. Then, a car passed by and the person who flagged him down said the driver might be the son he needed help with.

Whyms attempted to conduct a traffic stop, authorities said, and when he began to approach the vehicle, the driver, identified as 23-year-old Aidan Bryant, fired several shots, hitting Whyms twice in his lower body and three times in his upper body.

Whyms returned fire injuring the suspect. Bryant left the scene of the shooting and was later found at Mallard Creek Urgent Care; he was transported by MEDIC to Atrium Health Main.

Another deputy applied a tourniquet to Whyms after the shooting.

“It was very emotional, and words cannot express watching my deputy walk out of the hospital today after being there upon his arrival Saturday. I’m still extremely thankful to CMPD, MEDIC, Charlotte Fire Department, North Carolina Highway Patrol and the countless agencies and leaders who have reached out. I’m confident that we will get justice because I know and trust the work ethic of my brothers across the street. We are grateful for all of the prayers, thoughts and consideration for Deputy Whyms and MCSO during this time," said Sheriff Gary McFadden.

Bryant is in custody and still hospitalized. Warrants for his arrest will be served for possession of a stolen firearm, assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm and attempted first degree murder.