'Help us, not kill him:' Family called 911 before fatal officer-involved shooting in Moore County

Sheriff Neil Godfrey identified the four deputies as Sgt. Sean Ballard, Corporal Dustin Hussey, Stephanie Griffin and Justin Mack. As a matter of routine following all fatal officer-involved shootings, all of the deputies have been placed on administrative duty while the State Bureau of Investigation completes a probe into the shooting that left Arthur Kenzie Garner, 33, dead.

Moore sheriff: Man fired on deputies, they returned fire and killed him

"The matter is still being investigated by the SBI so we will not be releasing any additional information until we have completed our internal investigation," Godfrey said in a written statement to WRAL News..

Aberdeen police Chief Tim Wenzel said one of his officers, identified as Officer Austin Whatley, was at the scene when the incident occurred but he did not fire his weapon.

Pinehurst police said Sgt. Jason Caulder and Officer Michael Muse were at the scene when the shooting occurred.

The law enforcement officers were called to 106 Forest Place Drive in Aberdeen shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday after someone at the residence called to report a domestic dispute.

Investigators have said when deputies arrived at the scene, Garner began shooting at the law enforcement officers, who returned fire, killing him.

"The individual stepped out toward the doorway and fired some shots, at which time they fired back," Godfrey said of his deputies last weekend.

Garner's family said they called 911 after he had a fight with his girlfriend, which began escalating.

"When we called 911 that night, it was to help us, not kill him," Terry Garner said.

Family members said Arthur Garner never fired a shot.

"He was my son. He was no different than anyone else's," Terry Garner said through tears."I know he was screaming, 'Mom, mom." That's the last I heard my son's voice, was him screaming for me."

Terry Garner said her son had been in and out of jail before, but he didn't deserve to be killed.

"If my son did wrong and he was killed, I can accept that. My son was not a perfect man, but he was not on a death mission," she said.

No law enforcement officers were hurt during the incident, authorities have said.

Moore County deputies do not wear body cameras so the department is unable to provide video footage of the scene as their officers arrived. It was not clear if Aberdeen and Pinehurt officers wear body cameras when responding to calls for help.

Authorities said an autopsy on Garner has been scheduled for Wednesday.