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Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman Confirms Deputy William Mast’s Death in Last Night’s Shooting

William Mast – Facebook Photo

Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman’s Statement at 11:03 a.m. on last night’s shooting involving deputy:

At approximately 1 a.m., on July 26th, Watauga County Sheriff’s Officers responded to a call in the Deep Gap area of Watauga County. Upon arrival at a residence on Hardin Road, a suspect opened fire on Watauga County Sheriff’s Deputies wounding one deputy – the other deputy immediately returned fire and struck the suspect.

I am deeply saddened to report that Watauga County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, William Mast, Jr., was fatally wounded as a result of the injuries he sustained in the shooting. The suspect also received fatal wounds as a result of return fire.

It is a sad day for Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Watauga County community as Officer Mast was a friend and asset to our force and to his community.

Len Hagaman, Sheriff – Watauga County, NC 

By Jesse Wood

July 26, 2012. Watauga County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call last night in Deep Gap on Hardin Road. One officer was shot, along with another person, when a resident opened fire.

Sheriff Len Hagaman confirmed this morning that Deputy William Mast, Jr. was killed in the shooting. There after, another officer killed the suspect.

The road has been blocked off since this morning, and the State Bureau of Investigation is at the scene, along with the sheriff’s office and ASU law enforcement. The shooting happened at 1:15 a.m. at 2130 Hardin Road off of U.S. 421. 

“It is a sad day for Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Watauga County community as Officer Mast was a friend and asset to our force and to his community,” Hagaman said in a statement.