ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A North Carolina state trooper trying to help a stranded driver was shot in his protective vest before killing the motorist who shot him, authorities said.
Police officer Jeffrey Dunlap stopped on Interstate 26 near Asheville Monday night to help motorist Wesley Scott Taylor, 57.
Taylor pulled out a gun and shot Dunlap in the chest, the highway patrol said. Dunlap’s ballistic vest stopped the bullet and he returned fire, killing Taylor.
Dunlap was taken to a hospital for observation and later released, the highway patrol said.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was investigating the shooting. Dunlap will be placed on administrative duty under the highway patrol protocol for police officers involved in shootings.
