At approximately 11:00 pm Monday, November 19, deputies from the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office, along with a West Jefferson Police officer, responded to a report of a subject shooting from a residence on the Gaither Poe Road in the Laurel Springs area of Ashe County. On arrival at the scene, the officers encountered a white male armed with a rifle and scope.  The officers identified themselves, and ordered the man to put down his weapon.  Subject refused to comply, and began pointing the weapon at the officers.  Officers fired their weapons, striking and killing the subject. Two officers from the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office and one officer from the West Jefferson Police Department have been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the completion of the investigation being conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation. The name of the deceased subject is being withheld at this time, pending notification of the next of kin.