ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A Fletcher man who was last seen earlier this month with his daughter was shot and killed Friday, Dec. 20, in Haywood County. The 9-year-old girl was found safe, authorities said.
Haywood County deputies responded to a report of a suspicious person near Harmon Den horse camp about 3 p.m. Friday, a news release from the sheriff’s office said. The subject, identified as 42-year-old Michael Shope, attacked a Haywood County deputy with a knife.
“Fortunately, the deputy’s protective vest prevented serious injury,” the news release said. “The deputy then discharged his service weapon, striking the subject as the subject continued to attack him.”
Shope was pronounced dead at the scene.
SEARCH CONTINUES FOR FATHER, DAUGHTER MISSING FROM FLETCHER
The Fletcher Police Department had been looking for Shope and his daughter since Dec. 3.
The investigation remains ongoing in cooperation with the Fletcher Police Department and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.