RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – A Raleigh man fired a handgun during an altercation with a Wake County deputy after the man was seen pointing a shotgun at passing cars, officials said.

A deputy was patrolling the area of Old Creedmoor Road and Raytown Road Tuesday when a motorist said a man was standing near the road and pointing a shotgun at drivers, Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said.

The deputy located the man, later identified as 62-year-old William Bruce Ray, and approached him.

Ray pulled out a handgun after the deputy wrestled the shotgun from him.

Ray fired a shot from the handgun during the altercation. The round did not strike anyone.

The deputy was able to apprehend Ray and take him into custody.

“As a deputy, you don’t ever know what to expect when you’re approaching something like that, so your training kicks in,” Harrison said. “And of course when the gun came up, it was automatic to him to get that gun away from him, and he did exactly what he was supposed to.”

Ray was charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer with a firearm and damage to personal property.

Harrison said the Sheriff’s Office is investigating why Ray was pointing a gun at passing cars but said Ray had been drinking heavily.

Ray was given $150,000 bond at a Wednesday court appearance.

His lawyer requested a lower bond, saying Ray has mental issues including bipolar disorder and certain forms of depression.

Prosecutors said Ray’s charges are likely to be upgraded to attempted murder.