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WINDSOR – A Bertie County man died near here Tuesday afternoon in an incident involving local law enforcement officers who were forced to use their weapons.

Bertie Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin said his deputies were in the process of serving an involuntary commitment order on 28-year-old Tyshawn Demmoris Barnes when he started shooting in the direction of the lawmen.

The incident occurred at 12:07 p.m. at 122 Sierra Lane.

“Upon deputies arrival to the residence, commands were given to Barnes to exit the residence,” Ruffin said in a press release. “While deputies were giving commands to Barnes, Barnes exited the residence and displayed a firearm in the direction of the deputies and appeared to be attempting to discharge the firearm. When the firearm didn’t discharge, Barnes went back into the residence. Moments later, Barnes exited the residence again, discharging a firearm in the direction of the deputies. Deputies fired back at Barnes, striking him.”

Ruffin said Barnes was pronounced deceased at the scene and that next of kin have been notified.

He added there were no injuries to any law enforcement officer at the scene.

Following standard protocol, the deputies involved have been placed on paid administrative leave. The North Carolina SBI is investigating the officer involved shooting.

Ruffin said that due to a 2019 incident where Barnes fired shots at Bertie County deputies, they approached the residence with caution on Tuesday.

“Today’s unfortunate circumstances are never the outcomes we wish for,” Ruffin stated. “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.”