Employment terminated for off-duty deputy accused in shooting

FRANKLIN COUNTY (WSLS 10) - The Henry County Sheriff's Office said Monday evening that former Deputy Joshua Dean Nash's employment with the office had been terminated. 

Nash was charged in a shooting that happened while he was off-duty with the county's office, where he worked since March, 2011

Virginia State Police troopers, who are investigating the shooting, said 27-year-old Nash of Martinsville, was charged with shooting in an occupied dwelling, malicious wounding, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

A statement released by the Henry County Sheriff's Office said, "Our regrets go out to the victim and his family. This incident was totally out of character for Deputy Nash and was a shock to us as well, as he had an exemplary record and was an outstanding deputy regularly receiving compliments."

According to Sergeant Richard Garletts with Virginia State Police, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office responded to a shooting in the 400 block of Blue Spruce Drive in the Snow Creek community of the county at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, May 17.

Eric Eysenbach, 60, of Martinsville, was taken to Franklin Memorial Hospital, where he was then flown to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. 

State police say Nash was taken into custody without incident. He's being held at the Franklin County Jail without bond. Troopers say a firearm was recovered at the scene. The firearm belongs to Nash, however it was not his department-issued weapon, state police say. 

Neighbors said Nash and Eysenbach live on the same road and were friends. 

Nash was arraigned Monday morning where he asked for a court-appointed attorney. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on July 15.