Last Updated on March 26, 2022 2:32 pm
An officer-involved shooting on Saturday night has resulted in the death of a 22-year-old man.
Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman said that deputies were dispatched to the area of 2145 Hardin Road regarding a suspicious male going onto the property of residences attempting to gain entry.
Deputy Adam Gragg encountered Andrew John Mason walking in the roadway. Deputy Gragg stepped out of his vehicle to speak with Mason and was attacked, according to the Sheriff. A violent struggle ensued and Deputy Gragg discharged his firearm striking Mason.
Mason was initially transported to Watauga Medical Center and later transported to Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem where he passed away.
The NCSBI and the District Attorney are investigating the incident.
Deputy Gragg has been placed on administrative leave per WCSO protocol.
Ironically, this is the same stretch of road where Deputy William Mast Jr was killed while responding to a call at 2130 Hardin Road at 1 a.m. on July 26th, 2012. Rose Ecklor, of Spectrum News, reports that the woman who made the 911 call during this shooting was the mother of the man who was shot and killed during shooting in 2012.
Photos courtesy Rose Ecklor/Spectrum News
Update 1:21pm – Sheriff Hagaman has released the identity of the victim. Andrew John Mason, 22-years-old, was initially transported to Watauga Medical Center and later transported to Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem where he passed away.
Update 10:40am – Sheriff Hagaman confirms that the man was admitted to Watauga Medical Center and later succumbed to his injuries following emergency surgery. The Medical Examiner is handling that investigation.
Sheriff also confirms that Deputy Adam Gragg was the officer involved.
Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman says a shooting involving a Watauga Deputy and a man occurred on Saturday night.
On Saturday March 30, 2019 Deputies were dispatched to the area of 2145 Hardin Road in reference to a suspicious male going onto the property of residences attempting to gain entry, according to a report from the Sheriff's Department. Deputies responded and began checking the area for the suspect. A deputy encountered a male walking in the roadway. The deputy stepped out of his vehicle to speak with the individual and was attacked. A violent struggle ensued and a Deputy discharged his firearm striking the suspect.
The NCSBI is investigating the incident.
The District Attorney has also been personally notified of the incident and is involved in the incident.
The Officer has been placed on administrative leave per WCSO protocol.
