Son Born to N.C. Officer Slain in July Shootout

Aug. 14--BOONE -- The widow of a slain Watauga County law enforcement officer gave birth to a son Sunday evening, Sheriff Len Hagaman said Monday.

The boy, named William Hunter Mast III, was born about 7 p.m. Sunday, according to Hagaman. He said Paige Mast and her son are doing fine.

The birth came about 2 1/2 weeks after Deputy William Mast Jr. was killed during an early-morning shootout July 26 on Hardin Road, northeast of Boone. Authorities say a deputy who was with Mast returned fire and killed the gunman. The shooter was identified later as Mitchell Allen Trivette.

Hagaman said the baby was 18 inches long and weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces.

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