Tonya Maxwell

tmaxwell@citizen-times.com

Henderson County sheriff’s deputies were awaiting involuntary commitment papers on an East Flat Rock woman when she drew what appeared to be a weapon on officers, who fatally shot her, officials said Monday evening.

The 60-year-old deceased woman of 422 East Blue Ridge Road was identified as Kay Frances Campbell, authorities released Tuesday.

Officers were put in a position where they feared for their lives, said Major Frank Stout of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. He said more than one deputy was involved in the shooting, but declined to be more specific about details of the incident. The woman's identity has not been released.

Deputies were called to the home, in the 400 block of East Blue Ridge Road, by a person whom Stout described as an occasional caretaker of the woman.

“Just before 5 o’clock, our deputies responded to an assault call at this residence. They had spoken with the roommate of the person inside the residence who had been assaulted and wanted to speak with deputies. In the ongoing conversation, we felt in necessary to do a health and welfare check inside the residence,” Stout said. “Deputies encountered the person inside the residence and gunfire erupted.”

The shooting occurred just after 6 p.m., Stout said. The caretaker who called in the assault was not in the home, and officers were interacting with the unidentified woman from the time they arrived on the scene and until she was shot, he said.

No officers were injured and those that were involved in the shooting were placed on paid administrative leave. Agents with the State Bureau of Investigation arrived late Monday night.

Campbell's remains were removed from the scene and transported to Wake Forest for an autopsy by the medical examiner's office, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Stout said. Family members of the deceased have been notified.

The investigation continues and no further information is available at this time.