In a story where you have to wonder “what in the world was he thinking?”, a Virginia deputy in Spotsylvania reportedly shot a man after the suspect charged at him with a sword.
Authorities have charged the 27-year-old suspect, Nicholas Gene Howell, with attempted malicious wounding of a law enforcement officer, according to The News & Advance. Howell is in stable condition and receiving treatment in an area trauma center.
A Spotsylvania County, Virginia, deputy opened fire on a suspect who allegedly charged at the deputy with a “33-inch Spartan Warrior-style sword" on Monday afternoon. https://t.co/Ua40oPvnGf pic.twitter.com/t8xSRXv9XM
— WTOP (@WTOP) July 20, 2022
The deputy responded to a call for a domestic disturbance involving the caller’s adult son, who was armed with a weapon and allegedly made death threats to a family member, the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office said.
The deputy saw the suspect running behind the home upon arrival, according to authorities. As the deputy approached the suspect, the man reportedly charged at the deputy with a “33-inch Spartan Warrior-style sword.”
“The first arriving deputy … spotted the suspect run to the rear of the home where family members were standing outside. As the deputy approached the rear of the home, the male suspect charged at the deputy with a 33-inch Spartan warrior style sword,” the sheriff’s office said.
The deputy resorted to shooting the man “multiple times,” officials said in a news release.
“The suspect quickly closed his distances forcing the deputy to discharge his firearm at the suspect striking him multiple times. The deputy … immediately rendered first aid to the suspect until medical personnel arrived.”
A helicopter transported the the 27-year-old suspect to a nearby hospital, where he remains in stable condition, the sheriff’s office said.
The unnamed deputy — a six-year veteran — has been placed on administrative leave, pending an investigation. Additional charges are pending against the suspect, according to Sheriff’s Maj. Troy Skebo.