In a harrowing incident on Interstate 26 near Asheville, a North Carolina State Trooper survived a gunshot thanks to his protective vest and subsequently neutralized the threat. Trooper Jeffrey Dunlap stopped Monday night to assist a stranded motorist, identified as 57-year-old Wesley Scott Taylor. During the encounter, Taylor produced a firearm and shot Trooper Dunlap in the chest. The trooper's ballistic vest absorbed the impact, allowing him to return fire and fatally wound Taylor.
Following the incident, Trooper Dunlap was transported to a hospital for observation and has since been released. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is currently conducting a thorough investigation into the shooting. As per standard protocol for officer-involved shootings, Trooper Dunlap has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
