‘My father just attacked my mother’: Apex police captain arrested in alleged assault

An Apex police captain has been arrested after an alleged domestic assault, according to the town’s police department.

Eric Buchanan, 39, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation, Chief Jason Armstrong said in a Monday news release.

Buchanan faces one charge of assault on a female.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office received a disturbance call around 6 p.m. Friday from the Circle K convenience store on Pipeline Drive in Garner, according to Lori Napier, a spokesperson for the office.

When deputies arrived, they spoke with witnesses and the victim, finding evidence that an assault occurred, Napier said.

The victim, Buchanan’s wife, suffered a minor cut and bruising, Napier said.

Buchanan was arrested later that day at his Garner home and taken to the Johnston County Detention Center. He was released Sunday night after posting bail, she added.

‘My father just attacked my mother’

Buchanan’s child appeared to place the 911 call from the Circle K, according to audio provided by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.

“My father just attacked my mother,” the caller said. “He just left.”

The caller told the operator they didn’t know the exact address of Buchanan’s apartment building.

“I don’t stay with my dad,” they said.

Apex police were informed of Buchanan’s arrest Friday.

“What we know at this time is that this is a domestic incident,” Armstrong said. “We take these matters seriously, and will do our due diligence to ensure we gather all information available related to this incident.”

This story was originally published April 4, 2022 at 8:08 AM.