HAYWOOD COUNTY, NC (WSPA/WGHP) — A missing North Carolina man and the father of a girl had also been missing is dead after he attacked a deputy, according to the Haywood County Sheriff's Office. On Friday, deputies responded to a call about a suspicious person near the Harmon Den horse camp. Upon arrival, officers identified the subject as 42-year-old Michael Shope, who had been missing since Dec. 3 along with his daughter. Investigators say that Shope was armed with a knife and attacked the deputy, who fired his weapon in self-defense. Officers requested emergency medical services, who pronounced Shope dead at the scene. No further update on the girl's condition was provided. The two were reportedly spotted out of the state last week. The North Carolina Department of Public Services said that Shope was possibly experiencing a mental health crisis.