Woman shot in deadly standoff in Paulding County released from hospital

ATLANTA, Georgia (Atlanta News First) – The woman shot in the deadly standoff that also killed Paulding County Sheriff's Deputy Brandon Cunningham has been released from the hospital after nearly two weeks.

“Everyone loves her. She's just nice to everyone she meets,” said Jennifer Brigman, a friend of Kim Vu.

Vu is a woman who makes an impression, at her nail salon, Nail Gallery, and throughout Paulding County, so her friends were shocked to hear she was shot.

“She's very bubbly and happy,” said Marcela Vasquez, owner of Dallas Nutrition, a few shops down from Vu's salon. “You don't think something like that can happen to someone you meet.”

Investigators say Vu called 911 because her husband, James Atkins, was becoming violent. Brigman says that's out of character for Atkins.

“The nicest guy you'll ever meet. He'll do anything for you,” Brigman said.

According to officials, Atkins shot Vu in the shoulder, killing Deputy Brandon Cunningham as he responded to the 911 call. Vu is hospitalized with injuries to his shoulder, ribs, heart and lungs.

“She's still in shock and can't believe what happened,” Brigman said. “She has moments where she's emotional and the next day she may be grounded, but she misses her husband very much.”

Since Vu's family is in Vietnam and her house was destroyed in the SWAT team's deployment, her friends are doing what they can to raise money for her, including Vasquez, who is taking donations for her at Dallas Nutrition.

“We decided to put together this donation box for her so we can help in any way we can,” Vasquez said. “We know it's not much, but it's a token of love and care for her.”

Brigman began a GoFundMe and takes care of Vu now that she has been released from the hospital.

“I like to say she's tough. But today she's in a great mood. She's so happy to be going home,” Brigman said.

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