CLARK COUNTY, Ohio — The shooting that led to Deputy Sheriff Matthew Yates' death started as a shots fired call at a mobile home park Sunday morning, officials said.

What You Need To Know

  • Deputy Matthew Yates was shot and killed after responding to a "shots fired" call at Harmony Estates, police say

  • The suspect has not yet been identified

  • Police Wives of Ohio have resources in place for families that have lost loved ones in the line of duty

  • Neighbors of the suspect said they feel the mobile home park will never be the same

While the investigation is still in its early stages, there has already been a substantial impact on the community. What started as an ordinary Sunday at the Harmony Estates turned into an incident neighbors said they will never forget.

"It's unbelievable," said James Meyers, a close friend of the alleged suspect. "It almost feels like something out of a movie."

Police were called to reports of shots fired around 11:45 a.m. Sunday. The call led to an hours-long stand-off, police said.

Neighbors said hundreds of police officers were outside their front doors and parts of the neighborhood were eventually evacuated because of ongoing gun fire. Many residents said they didn't return home until late Sunday evening, and found their homes rancid with the smell of tear gas.

Neighbors said that Harmony Estates is known as a quiet and close knit community. Many residents said they knew the unnamed suspect. They said that family and friends were constantly visiting the suspect for wellness checks.

"I believe he was trying to figure out his own personal battles in a sense," said Meyers. "It wasn't just, like, an immediate deterioration of self-being. He was a very well educated man who had his head on straight. He just had his struggles, like all of us do."

The Clark County Sheriff's Department confirmed that Deputy Matthew Yates was shot and killed at the scene. A procession took place Monday afternoon, where residents lined the streets of Clark County to honor Deputy Yates.

Jessica Olsen, of Police Wives of Ohio, said this incident is any community's worst nightmare.

"This is the saddest day that we possibly could ever have and we will do whatever we can to lessen the burden on the family and the Clark County Sheriff's Office in this tragedy," said Olsen.

Police Wives of Ohio offer resources in times of crisis. A care team works with the Sheriff's department to coordinate meal trains and care packages for the family. Olsen said that the rise in violence she's seen has increased her concern for her husband and her community.

"They will give their life to protect their community but they shouldn't have to. We should be helping each other. We should be protecting each other," said Olsen. "We should be remembering that everyone wants to go home at the end of the day."

For more information on Police Wives of Ohio, tap here.

The investigation is ongoing.