State Police are investigating an incident where a man being processed on two unrelated charges grabbed a McDowell County sheriff's deputy's gun and fatally shot himself.

State Police Sgt. W.C. Tupper says 29-year-old Kevin Shirley of Roderfield was being processed at the McDowell County Sheriff's Department early Sunday morning when the shooting occurred.

Tupper says Shirley hit Deputy Michael Pertee in the face with a metal pole, then grabbed Pertee's service gun and shot himself.

Shirley had been arrested on charges of burglary and discharging a weapon within 500 feet of a residence.

Tupper said authorities had arrested Shirley in the past without incident.

The deputy was treated and released from the hospital with facial fractures and cuts.