Multiple police officers shot in Virginia

Three sheriff’s deputies have been shot while attempting to serve warrants to a local man in the US state of Virginia, officials have said. The suspect was eventually taken into custody after an hours-long standoff with police.

The incident on Wednesday in Gretna, Pittsylvania County, triggered a massive emergency response, with firefighters, medics, and various law enforcement agencies arriving at the scene, footage circulating online showed.

The shooting was first confirmed by US Rep. John McGuire, who said multiple officers had been injured. 

“My thoughts and prayers are with the deputies who were shot in Pittsylvania County, as well as their families. We are closely following the situation and keeping everyone affected in our hearts during this difficult time,” McGuire wrote on X.

Local police held a press conference later in the day, confirming the shooting occurred when the deputies tried to serve the suspect, identified as James Andreu Lehnerd, with a protective order and warrants for brandishing a firearm and trespassing. The officers were greeted with gunfire and received superficial shrapnel wounds, local Sheriff Mike Taylor said. 

One of the injured deputies was hospitalized “out of an abundance of caution,” the sheriff added. “All three are well. Of course they’re shaken up. And they’re going through the process now of trying to heal,” he said. 

The initial shooting turned into an hours-long standoff, although the suspect eventually surrendered and was taken into custody, according to the authorities. He is expected to face “serious” charges, which are still being determined.