On the afternoon of Monday, Feb. 17, a Danville Police Department uniformed officer located a suspect vehicle from a previous hit and run incident in the parking lot of a hotel located in the 2100 block of Riverside Drive. The officer’s investigation led to the identification of and conversation with the suspect, a 47-year-old white male who is not a resident of the Danville area. During the encounter, the suspect, without any provocation, quickly drew a firearm and began firing at the officer, striking the officer multiple times. The officer then returned fire, striking the suspect multiple times.
Responding officers provided immediate medical care to the officer and the suspect. Responding officers transported the injured officer directly to SOVAH Danville Emergency Department and the suspect was transported by EMS directly to the helipad where he was flown out for further treatment.
The wounded officer is in stable condition and was transported by helicopter to a regional trauma center for further treatment.
At the request of the Chief of Police, the Virginia State Police were asked to investigate this incident and they responded to the scene immediately.
The officer and suspect names are being withheld at this time. It is the policy of the Danville Police Department to withhold the name of officers involved in shooting incidents for a period of 72 hours.