At the request of the Botetourt County Sheriff, the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Salem Field Office is investigating two officer-involved shootings.
At 10:12 a.m. Friday, March 27, the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call concerning a suspicious vehicle in the 2800 block of North Creek Road in Buchanan. When the deputy arrived, he located the abandoned vehicle in a ditch on the side of North Creek Road. Further investigation led the deputy to discover an individual campsite set up a short distance off the road. Just beyond the campsite, the deputy saw a male subject.
As the deputy attempted to engage the male, the man displayed a firearm and began shooting at the deputy. The deputy returned fire. The male fled the scene on foot, running into the heavily wooded area. The deputy was not injured.
The Sheriff’s Office immediately established a search perimeter and deployed resources to the area to conduct a concentrated search. During the course of that search, deputies encountered the suspect, once again. During this engagement, a deputy fired at the man.
Despite EMS treatment at the scene, the man succumbed to his injuries. His remains have been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Roanoke for examination, autopsy and positive identification. State Police will release the name once positive identification is made and next of kin is notified.
The State Police investigation remains ongoing at this time.
