CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA – Chesterfield County Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Saturday, July 8.
At about 12:49 p.m. on Saturday, police responded to the 1200 block of Wycliff Court for a report that a suspicious male had entered at least one attached garage and attempted to enter other homes. In his attempts to enter the other homes, the suspect cut a window screen and tried door handles.
As officers arrived at the location, they saw the suspect, who was in the road and armed with a hatchet. Officers repeatedly gave the suspect clear, verbal instructions in an effort to deescalate the situation from violence, but the suspect did not comply. At that time, officers attempted to use a TASER to gain compliance from the suspect, however the TASER was not effective.
Officers continued to use verbal de-escalation tactics to encourage the suspect to resolve the situation peacefully by putting the weapon on the ground. He refused and instead continued to advance on the officers, leaving them no choice but to shoot him. Officers immediately rendered aid to the suspect, but the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing and police will likely be on scene for some time.