North Carolina shooting leaves five dead, including two sheriff deputies

Five people, including two sheriff deputies, died after a 13-hour standoff with a gunman, police said Thursday. 

The incident began Wednesday morning when deputies responded to a call to a house and were hit by gunfire.

The Watauga County Sheriff’s office said Sgt. Chris Ward and K-9 Deputy Logan Fox were dispatched to a home at 9:44 a.m. Wednesday after the homeowner and their family did not show up for work or answer calls.

Upon arriving at the scene, both officers were hit with gunfire. Fox died on the scene, and Ward died later at a hospital, according to The Associated Press.

"The individual suspected of killing the two officers is also suspected of killing two civilians in the residence," police said in a statement.

Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman said the civilians were the suspect’s mother and stepfather.

Reports also state the suspect killed himself during the confrontation, as 15 additional police officers surrounded the home. Police say the two homeowners, the two deputies, and the gunman are the only casualties.

"This is an incredibly tragic situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved as well as their families and our community," said Hagaman, according to CNN. "I greatly appreciate the tremendous support we are receiving from law enforcement agencies across the region and the state."