VIRGINIA STATE POLICE BEAT: Dirtbag fleeing in a stolen car on I-95 began firing at troopers; dirtbag dead, along with police K-9 dog

SUSSEX, VA. – A dirtbag in a stolen car operating on I-95 began firing at a Virginia State Trooper and when he exited the interstate and found himself surrounded, he continued to fire at troopers until the gun battle ended with his justifiable demise. Lesson learned. Shoot at police, win a lead prize.

Lesson learned. Shoot at police, win a lead prize.

Virginia State Police report that at approximately 8:18 a.m. on Aug. 1, 2018, a Virginia State Police trooper was traveling north on Interstate 95 in Sussex County when he identified a vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Connecticut. The trooper activated his lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle’s driver refused to stop for the trooper and sped away.

A pursuit was initiated north on I-95 during which time an individual in the suspect vehicle began shooting at the trooper’s vehicle. Sporadic shooting by the pursuit suspect continued as the stolen vehicle headed north on I-95 and then took Exit 24 for Owens/Route 645 in Sussex County.  As the stolen vehicle approached the intersection of Loco School and Bell roads, Virginia State Police positioned themselves to stop the stolen vehicle.  The pursuit suspects continued firing at the state police vehicles. One of the suspect’s bullets pierced a K9 trooper’s back passenger window and struck a Virginia State Police canine riding in the back-seat compartment.

Once the stolen vehicle was stopped, state troopers engaged with the suspect and shots were fired. The male suspect died at the scene and will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Va. for examination and autopsy.

A female passenger in the suspect vehicle was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The Virginia State Police canine did not survive his injuries. No troopers were injured in the course of the incident.

In accordance with Virginia State Police policy regarding officer-involved shootings, three troopers have been placed on administrative leave.