Man injured after pulling gun, firing on Nash County deputies, sheriff says

NASHVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- A man was shot Monday morning after pulling out a gun on Nash County sheriff's deputies.

It happened around midnight on Reges Store Road just north of Highway 64.

According to Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone, deputies were getting a warrant from the Magistrate's office, when they overheard a phone conversation between 52-year-old James Breheim and his estranged wife. Based off that, deputies already in the area responded to the property.

Watch full press conference on the deputy-involved shooting in Nash County

"(Breheim) comes out the back door armed with a pistol, confronts my deputies, fires his firearm. The deputies responded with gunfire," said Stone.

Breheim suffered injuries to his upper and lower body and was taken to WakeMed.

Stone noted authorities were called to the home earlier this year for a domestic situation, due to a threat of self-harm.

"There's no place for mental health right now. Mental health facilities across this nation and across the state of North Carolina have been shut down. This situation here had mental health issues associated with it six months ago, but there's nowhere for these people to go.

No officers were injured during the shooting, though Stone discussed the difficulty that comes with processing such a situation.

"Mental health is a situation that we need to correct immediately because some communities, as in this case, I've got law enforcement officers that will live with this the rest of their life," said Stone.

The incident remains under investigation and the two deputies have been placed on administrative leave as is protocol.

"This job takes such a toll on us mentally. And it could be anything as extreme as an officer involved shooting to working a case with a child victim to domestic violence incident. Some events just trigger some officers more than others. It's really important to feel comfortable and safe and accessing these mental health resources," added Lindsay LiCausi, a former police officer who is the Founder and CEO of the non-profit Back the Blue NC.

LiCausi believes there has been greater willingness for law enforcement to seek mental health assistance.

"This is something the basic law enforcement training tries to prepare every potential officer, a deputy for. But unless you are actively involved in a situation such as the two Nash County deputies were involved in on Monday, you will never know the true impact that it may have on you personally, physically, mentally," said LiCausi.

As for those who are in unsafe situations, there are local, state, and national resources available.

"If they need protection orders, an emergency DVPO (domestic violence protective order). Or just a regular DVPO, we will do the paperwork, accompany them to the court and to see a judge schedule that," said Kimberley Cofield, Executive Director of My Sister's House.

With a location in Nashville near the courthouse, and a second building in Tarboro, Cofield said the non-profit received more than 2,000 crisis calls last year, as it works with victors of domestic violence, sexual assault and trafficking.

"We provide toiletries which our community donates, just their basic necessities that they need right away. We do have food (as well). like that. As far as if they need housing, then we need to start connecting them to those resources," Cofield shared, noting their services are free of charge.