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DEEP GAP, N.C. – Some Watauga County residents are reeling after the death of a Sheriff's Deputy early Thursday morning.

Authorities say 23-year-old William Mast Jr. was shot and killed while responding to a hang up 911 call at a home on Hardin Road in Deep Gap. The sheriff's office says he and another deputy were fired upon and that the second deputy returned fire and killed the suspect.

"This hurts me. Both the shooter and the deputy live on my mail route. The deputy's mother-in-law was a high school classmate of mine, so it hurts," said neighbor Brent Beach.

The name of the suspect has not been released.

Mast was the first Watauga County sheriff's deputy to be killed in the line of duty. His wife is due to give birth any day.

The SBI is investigating the incident.