Virginia State Police are investigating a violent encounter in Augusta County that left a sheriff’s deputy wounded and a suspect dead after authorities attempted to serve an arrest warrant Wednesday night, officials said.
The incident unfolded shortly after 8:30 p.m. in the 800 block of Parkersburg Turnpike, roughly two miles west of the Staunton city limits, according to reports citing state police and the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office. Three deputies assigned to the sheriff’s office Narcotics Unit went to the location to take a person into custody when an altercation occurred, and shots were fired.
One deputy was struck in the upper arm and transported by medical helicopter to the University of Virginia Medical Center for treatment. Authorities described the deputy’s injuries as non-life-threatening.
At the scene, the suspect received life-saving measures but was pronounced dead, according to Virginia State Police. The identity of the suspect was not released in the initial law enforcement statements.
Later Thursday, the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke confirmed the deceased man’s identity as Dustin Griffin, 42.
