Authorities said Ryan was fatally shot during an exchange of fire outside a house. Officers had been called because Ryan was reportedly suicidal and armed. One sheriff's deputy was struck by fellow officers' gunfire in one of his legs during the confrontation.
Victim's Name: William Ryan
Agency Responsible: Rutherfordton Police Department, Rutherford County Sheriff's Department
Gender: Male
Age: 55
Race: White
Date of Death: September 17, 2016
County: Rutherford
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Pending investigation/No Known Charges
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: Yes
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: gun
Threat Level: attack
Fleeing: Not fleeing
Body Camera: No
Washington Post Database ID: 1896
Geography: Rural