Siler City, North Carolina — A Routine Traffic Stop Turns Deadly as Trooper Shoots Armed Driver
Siler City, North Carolina — What began as a routine seatbelt violation stop on a quiet Thursday afternoon quickly escalated into a deadly confrontation that is now under statewide investigation. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol has released dash camera footage that shows the dramatic and fatal encounter between Trooper Rodney Cook and 21-year-old Mark Diaz, of Staley, during a May 30 traffic stop in rural Chatham County.
According to officials with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS), the incident unfolded at approximately 4:30 p.m. when Trooper Cook stopped Diaz’s white pickup truck near Siler City for a seatbelt violation. Initial interactions between the trooper and the young driver appeared tense but nonviolent. However, the situation spiraled rapidly after Diaz repeatedly refused to hand over identification and Trooper Cook began to suspect drug use or impairment.
The dash camera footage, released publicly for transparency, begins with Trooper Cook approaching the driver-side window. As he requests identification, Diaz appears visibly agitated and evasive. When Diaz fails to produce a license and continues to avoid direct answers, Trooper Cook orders him to exit the vehicle — a standard procedure when an officer has reasonable suspicion that the driver may be impaired or attempting to conceal illegal activity.
That command, however, triggered the turning point of the encounter.
A Gun Drawn in Seconds
The footage shows Trooper Cook stepping back slightly from the truck as he repeats his instruction. Diaz then reaches toward his right side, and in one swift movement, he pulls out a pistol.
The moment the gun becomes visible, Trooper Cook reacts instinctively, reaching forward to deflect the weapon while simultaneously retreating toward his patrol car for cover. The dash camera captures the trooper scrambling backward, creating distance as Diaz begins to open the driver door while still armed.
Within seconds, Trooper Cook fires a single shot at Diaz as the armed driver emerges from the truck. The bullet strikes Diaz, who collapses onto the pavement near the front of his vehicle.
At the same moment, the truck — still in gear — begins rolling forward across the roadway. The engine stalls moments later, and a passenger, unseen until then, bolts from the truck in panic before fleeing the scene on foot. Authorities later confirmed the passenger voluntarily returned and was questioned by investigators.
Trooper Cook Calls for Help
As the chaos settles, Cook returns to his patrol car and radios the incident in, his voice steady but urgent. The dashcam footage continues recording as the trooper cautiously approaches Diaz, who is lying on the pavement still gripping the pistol in his right hand.
“Drop the gun!” Cook yells repeatedly.
Even wounded, Diaz doesn’t immediately release the firearm. Trooper Cook keeps his weapon trained on him as he continues issuing commands. When Diaz’s grip finally loosens, Cook kicks the gun away and secures it. Immediately afterward, he drops to his knees and begins providing lifesaving medical aid, including chest compressions.
His voice can be heard calling urgently for EMS.
Medical Intervention Fails
Paramedics arrived quickly, but Diaz’s wounds proved fatal. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he died a short time later.
Trooper Cook, who was not physically injured during the encounter, has since been placed on administrative leave pending standard internal review — a mandatory step in all deadly officer-involved shootings.
NCDPS Statement and Early Findings
In a press release following the public release of the video, officials stated that early evidence supports Trooper Cook’s account that Diaz brandished a firearm first and created a situation that forced the trooper to defend himself.
Authorities further stated that Cook showed “appropriate tactical withdrawal, adherence to training, and immediate lifesaving measures” after the shooting — a detail emphasized to counter early misinformation circulating online.
Investigators also noted that Cook’s decision to attempt rendering aid after disarming an armed suspect is consistent with state highway patrol training standards, which require officers to prioritize medical assistance once a threat is neutralized.
Community Reaction and Public Scrutiny
The release of the video prompted strong reactions across Chatham County. While some residents expressed sympathy for the Diaz family, many others voiced support for Trooper Cook’s actions, asserting he had only seconds to react to an immediate threat.
Local leaders urged calm and patience as the investigation continues, emphasizing that decisions must be based on evidence rather than emotion.
Sheriff Mike Roberson addressed the public, stating:
“This is a tragic incident for everyone involved. But the video clearly shows the trooper faced a deadly threat. We ask our community to allow the process to move forward and to support all affected families.”
Who Was Mark Diaz?
Little public information has been released about Diaz beyond his age and hometown. Friends and relatives described him as troubled and struggling with personal issues but denied that he was violent. However, investigators stated they are looking into possible substance use, citing Cook’s suspicion of drug impairment during the stop.
Toxicology results have not yet been publicly released.
What Led Diaz to Draw a Gun?
This remains the most debated question in the aftermath of the shooting. According to NCDPS, Diaz:
- failed to provide identification
- acted nervously and erratically
- kept reaching toward his waistband
- produced a firearm when ordered to exit the vehicle
Law enforcement experts reviewing the footage said the trooper’s order to exit the vehicle was justified and legal. They emphasized that failure to comply with a lawful order — combined with the sudden production of a firearm — created a clear lethal threat.
Dashcam Video Brings Clarity
The decision to release the video came after community groups and journalists pushed for transparency. Officials said the footage supports the trooper’s account and helps the public see the rapid escalation firsthand.
Experts reviewing the footage noted:
- The suspect drew the gun first.
- The trooper attempted to physically block the gun.
- The trooper retreated rather than escalating force.
- The trooper fired only when Diaz exited the truck still armed.
- The shot was fired within a 1–2 second window — consistent with deadly force training.
Internal and External Investigations Underway
The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is conducting a full review. Meanwhile, Trooper Cook’s administrative leave status will continue until the final report is completed.
District Attorney Jeff Nieman confirmed that a use-of-force review will be conducted to determine whether criminal charges are warranted. Based on the video, legal experts say charges are unlikely.
A Tragic End to a Routine Stop
What began as a simple traffic stop for a seatbelt violation spiraled into a tragic confrontation that ended in death within minutes. One life was lost, another forever changed, and a community left searching for answers.
Trooper Cook, now recovering emotionally from the shooting, has not spoken publicly but is cooperating fully with investigators.
The case highlights once again how quickly routine police interactions can escalate — and how a single decision can alter the course of multiple lives.
