Statement from the Strickland family

Our son Peyton died one year ago when a New Hanover County Deputy Sheriff, with no provocation, fired a submachine gun through the windows of Peyton's unlocked front door. Peyton was unarmed and was about to open the door when he was fatally shot. The pain this deputy sheriff caused our family and Peyton's many friends will never cease. We are saddened that no one has yet been held accountable for Peyton's death - and that the Sheriff's department has so far refused to accept responsibility and make the changes necessary to prevent a reoccurrence.

Peyton cared deeply about others. We know nothing can bring him back, but we also know that Peyton would have wanted his death to mean something positive for others. In Peyton's memory we have established and will continue to fund endowed scholarships at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington and The Hill Center in Durham.

We are thankful for the love and support of our friends and family and the remarkable kindness of strangers over the past year. As we look forward, we are committed to obtaining justice for Peyton and to having the Sheriff's Department accept responsibility for Peyton's death and make the changes necessary to avert another tragedy, or to be held liable for his death.

Don and Kathy Strickland

November 29, 2007