A 44-year-old man remains in serious condition in a Tacoma hospital after he was shot in the chest by Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office deputies during a confrontation Dec. 31.

The incident occurred at a residence in the 8400 block of Bethel Burley Road SE, north of Mullenix Road. At 1:11 p.m., during a confrontation with the suspect in the driveway, gunshots were reported fired.

According to Deputy Scott Wilson, KCSO spokesman, a critical incident investigation is underway concerning the use of lethal force and with gunshots fired during an encounter by deputies.

Wilson said the suspect was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center for a gunshot wound to the chest. The man was listed in serious condition Tuesday night.

Sheriff Steve Boyer requested that WSP detectives conduct the investigation into the shooting. No deputies were injured.

Wilson said deputies responded to a request for assistance to check on the safety and welfare of a 42-year-old female victim.

The victim’s sister reported that she was concerned for the woman’s safety because of a restraining order, issued Sept. 17, was in effect prohibiting contact between the suspect and the victim.

The scene was described as “chaotic” by officers at the scene via emergency dispatchers who called several medic units and WSP to the scene. An eyewitness reported deputies fired more than one dozen shots at a suspect exiting a vehicle on Bethel Burley Road.

Wilson said the deputies involved are on temporarily placed on administrative assignment, pending completion the investigation.

He said more details about the shooting will be released later.

Immediate secondary response assistance was provided by on-duty sheriff’s patrol deputies and detectives together with outside agencies to including the Port Orchard Police Department, South Kitsap Fire and Rescue and Washington State Patrol.