Veteran Killed by Police After Call to Suicide Prevention Hotline

Police: Vet shot, killed by police after firing weapon at them
WSOC 9 News
By Blake Hanson
Monday, March 16, 2015

GASTON COUNTY — A veteran was shot and killed by police Monday after he fired his weapon at them, Gaston County authorities said.

The shooting happened on Wedowee Lane.

Police Chief James Buie addressed the media Monday night, calling it an "unfortunate situation."

Buie said Gaston County Communications got a call from the National Veterans Hotline concerning a suicidal man at 5:08 p.m.

Police said William Dean Poole, 52, had told the hotline he planned to kill himself and not to send anyone to his home because it would not end well.

When officers arrived at about 5:25 p.m., Buie said Poole was sitting on a lawnmower and fired multiple shots at police first.

The officers returned fire, killing Poole.

The four officers involved in the shooting were not injured, police said.
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Update from Gaston Gazette
Police: Veteran fired at officers before fatal shooting

Hinson says the man suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of his time in the U.S. Navy and had a broken back from a motorcycle crash.

"Why did it have to come to using that excessive force?" Hinson asked. "I could have reasoned with him if it had gotten to that point."