Man dies after shootout with police at Haywood County church

The family of a man who fired shots Wednesday afternoon from a Haywood County church issued a statement Thursday asking for prayers and privacy.

"We are grateful that no other members of our community were injured," the family wrote. "Like other members of our community and family, we are struggling to understand these events."

Wade Allen Baker, 44, died in a shootout with law enforcement officers at Maple Grove Baptist Church, at 2501 Stamey Cove Road in Waynesville.

​According to the Haywood County Sheriff's Office, the initial 911 call from the church indicated that four people had been shot. When deputies arrived, they found only Baker inside. There was an exchange of fire, and Baker was killed.

No officers were injured.

The State Bureau of Investigation was asked to investigate the shooting, standard protocol when an officer fires a weapon.