Family of Meck. County deputy who shot husband wants her side told

CONCORD, N.C. — The family of a Mecklenburg County deputy under investigation for shooting and killing her husband, who was also a deputy, opened up to Channel 9.

Rataba Hawkins' family contacted Channel 9 after Friday's report with her late husband's family.                   

As police investigate the shooting, Rataba Hawkins' family said they want people to hear her side of the story.

Ronnie Robinson is sick over how he feels his niece, Rataba Hawkins, is being portrayed since January when she shot and killed her husband, James Hawkins.

This week, James Hawkins sister told Channel 9 her brother was not the one who engaged in domestic violence.

[MORE: Sister of slain Meck County deputy wants case to move forward]

(James Hawkins)

Channel 9 has reported the autopsy report for James Hawkins said that during an argument at the couple's home in January, he threatened her with a knife, and that's when Rataba Hawkins got her gun and shot him.

“She's not the animal that his sister is describing, a sister that didn’t know him, a sister that hasn't seen him in years,” Robinson said.

Rataba Hawkins has not been charged, but she hasn't been cleared, either.

Her family described a rocky relationship and said there's more information that may come to light.

“We had to have two services, my family and friends chipped in so that there could be two services performed because the situation was so tense,” Robinson said.

Robinson said both families need closure, especially his niece.

“And watching what she’s going through now, having people say things that aren’t necessarily true,” Robinson said.

Cox Media Group