BERTIE COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) — Bertie County deputies shot and killed a man who the sheriff’s office said had fired in their direction after they had tried to serve an involuntary commitment order on him Tuesday afternoon.
Tyshawn Demmoris Barnes, 28, of Windsor, N.C., was killed by deputies after he had displayed a firearm and had shot in the deputies’ direction, according to the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies had been there at the address on Sierra Lane in Windsor to serve an involuntary commitment order on Barnes. The sheriff’s office said that, due to a 2019 incident in which he had fired at deputies, they approached the residence with caution.
When they arrived at Barnes’ residence just after noon Tuesday, Barnes received commands to come out of the residence, according to the sheriff’s office, and when he came outside, he showed a firearm in the deputies’ direction and was apparently trying to discharge the firearm.
When it didn’t, the sheriff’s office said he want back inside and, moments later, came outside again and fired his gun in the deputies’ direction. Bertie County deputies returned fire and shot him, and Barnes was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriff’s office said, and his next-of-kin has been notified.
The deputies have been placed on administrative leave, per standard protocol, according to the sheriff’s office. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting.
“Today’s unfortunate circumstances are never the outcomes we wish for,” said Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone M. Ruffin. “Mental health illnesses are more rampant than ever across the country and working to help people in their time of mental crisis is something we work tirelessly for every day. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members of the individual involved in today’s tragic events as well as the officers who responded and their families.”