Editor’s note: This article has been updated to identify the deputy injured.
A Haywood County Sheriff’s Deputy is in the hospital after being shot while responding to a call near Canton this morning. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and other authorties remain on scene, which has Asheville Highway on US 19/23 closed.
The officer has been identified as Deputy Eric Batchelor, of Haywood County Sheriff’s Office. Batchelor is in serious but stable condition after undergoing surgery.
Law enforcement was dispatched to a report of a disturbance involving a person armed with a rifle on Old Asheville Highway near Canton. According to a press release from the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office and the Canton Police Department, when law enforcement arrived on scene, the suspect began firing, striking a deputy. The suspect was then shot and killed during the exchange of gunfire.
According to annoynomous reports, the suspect was perched on a billboard shooting at passing cars when the initial call came through to dispatch.
The scene of the incident remains closed at this time, but should open aroudn 9 a.m., according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
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