DETECTIVE ON PAID LEAVE AFTER SHOOTING MAN

PRINCETON -- Officials on Monday identified the Johnston County sheriff's
deputy who shot a man in the man's home while executing a search warrant
there, but they released few details about the incident.

Narcotics Detective Brandon C. Harris fired once at Larry Gene Rawlings
while attempting to search Rawlings' home at 505 W. Edwards St. for drugs
Saturday night, sheriff's Capt. Dale Wheeler said.

Rawlings, 50, who was shot in the chest and flown to Duke University
Medical Center, was in fair condition Monday. Harris, 28, was placed on
administrative leave with pay pending an investigation by the State Bureau
of Investigation, a standard procedure when a deputy is involved in a
shooting, Wheeler said.

Wheeler said he had not seen the search warrant and didn't know whether any
drugs were found, but at least one firearm was found, he said. No charges
had been filed Monday.

Harris joined the sheriff's office in July 2000 and earlier worked as a
narcotics officer in the Goldsboro Police Department. He often worked
undercover and was in plain clothes during Saturday's shooting, Wheeler
said. "As a general rule, when they conduct a search they are clearly
marked" as officers, Wheeler said.

Wheeler said three other deputies joined Harris for the search. "Upon entry
into the residence, there was a confrontation between Mr. Rawlings and the
narcotics agents," which led to Rawlings being shot, Wheeler said in a
statement. He declined to elaborate.

"Any time you enter a house on a search warrant, especially with narcotics,
you have to anticipate, but I can't say they were expecting trouble," he said.

Johnston County District Attorney Tom Lock, who will decide whether Harris
should be prosecuted, was briefed Monday morning on the case. He declined
to comment, citing the pending investigation.