Tina Renee Medlin, a 50-year-old woman from Benson, NC, died on July 8, 2017, following an officer-involved shooting on Interstate 40. The incident began when the North Carolina Highway Patrol and Johnston County Sheriff's Office responded to a single-vehicle crash in the westbound lanes. Witnesses reported that Medlin, who was inside the wrecked SUV, had a gun and expressed suicidal intentions. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Medlin lying on the highway with the gun.
As Trooper J.L. Taylor and Johnston County Deputy Taylor Davis approached her, Medlin allegedly fired at them, prompting the officers to return fire. Medlin was critically injured and later died at WakeMed.
The State Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation into the shooting, seeking information from anyone who had contact with Medlin the evening before the crash. The officers involved, Trooper Taylor and Deputy Davis, were placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. The SBI's investigation aimed to determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting and whether the officers' actions were justified.
In August 2017, the District Attorney concluded that the officers were justified in their use of force, clearing them of any wrongdoing. The investigation revealed that Medlin had been driving erratically at high speeds before veering off the road and crashing. Dash-cam recordings and 911 calls provided additional context to the events leading up to the shooting. The SBI's findings indicated that Medlin's actions posed a significant threat to the officers, leading to their decision to use lethal force.
Medlin's death was a tragic outcome of a series of events that began with a car crash and escalated into a fatal confrontation with law enforcement. Her family and friends remembered her as a loving and generous person who struggled with mental health issues. Medlin's obituary highlighted her kindness and dedication to helping others, as well as her love for her family, animals, and Duke Basketball. Despite the circumstances surrounding her death, her family chose to focus on the positive impact she had on those around her.
