BUCHANAN – Botetourt County Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle reported Thursday morning that Steven Patrick Prease, 33, of Buchanan, was arrested and is being held without bond in the Botetourt-Craig Public Safety Facility facing four felony charges in connection with a shooting incident that occurred Wednesday night, June 27 in and near his residence at 479 Fourth Street, Buchanan.
“Fortunately, no one was injured, but the charges include two counts of capital attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and one for capital attempted murder of other persons,” Sprinkle said.
The sheriff said that officers had been dispatched to the residence at 10:57 p.m. in response to a domestic assault complaint that had been followed by a report from a neighbor that shots had been fired.
Sprinkle said officers were called for a domestic dispute after Prease allegedly fired a couple of rounds into the ground at his home when confronting his wife.
She met officers at a convenience store in town and from there they went to the home on the north side of the river but did not find Prease there.
He apparently had gone into the nearby woods, and when he came out he was met by deputies. Prease allegedly fired at the officers and they returned fire and Prease fled again.
The Botetourt County Emergency Response Team (ERT) was called in and was assisted by the Virginia State Police Tactical Team, Sprinkle said.
While they were setting up at Buchanan Town Hall, Prease surrendered to the officers. Sprinkle said Prease apparently swam across the river since his weapon and clothes were wet and officers had the Main Street bridge covered.
“In accordance with our established policy involving any officer involved shooting, I immediately requested that the Virginia State Police initiate an investigation of all actions taken in connection with this incident. Because of the ongoing nature of their investigation, any subsequent release of details will be at the discretion, or with the concurrence, of the Virginia State Police,” Sheriff Sprinkle stated.
Sprinkle reaffirmed that he was grateful no one was injured during the incident.
Residents in the area were alerted about the incident when Emergency Services issed a a reverse 911 call to people in that area advising of what going on. After Pease was in custody, Emergency Services called back to let residents know all was clear.
