The Haywood County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) reports that Michael Shope, 42, of Fletcher, N.C., was killed during an altercation with responding deputies.
According to a release, deputies responded to a "suspicious person" near Harmon Den horse camp at approximately 3 p.m. on Dec. 20.
The Dec. 20 release said that officers identified Shope as the man who had been missing since Dec. 3, finding him armed with a knife.
The release said that Shope then attacked a deputy, who was prevented serious injury due to a protective vest, resulting in the deputy discharging his service weapon and striking Shope as he continued to attack the officer.
Deputies on the scene requested emergency medical services, who, according to the release, responded and later pronounced Shope deceased at the scene.
The release said that this remains an active and ongoing investigation in cooperation with the Fletcher Police Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Additionally, the HCSO has confirmed that "Ali," Shope's daughter who had also been missing since Dec. 3, is "safe, unharmed and no longer missing."
The release said that no further details will be released at this time.
STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSFletcher man shot by deputy; daughter found safe; investigation ongoing
