A Virginia police officer was shot Saturday, later dying in the hospital from his injury.
Officer Michael Chandler, 29, conducted a welfare check at 4 a.m on an individual in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Chandler arrived at the residence and encountered a suspect who allegedly shot him before fleeing. He later died at 7 p.m. at the Johnson City Medical Center, the Virginia State Police’s Facebook page announced.
“Mike’s loss will be felt by our town and across all of Wise County,” a statement from Police Chief Stephen Hamm read. “Not only did he serve as an officer with the Town of Big Stone Gap Police Department, but also as a volunteer with the Big Stone Gap Fire Department. Please keep his family in your prayers tonight, as this should have been a day to celebrate his 29th birthday — not a day to mourn his passing.”
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A Wise County Sheriff’s Office deputy was the first to find Chandler, who was lying unconscious in a ditch at the residence. His patrol car and another vehicle were both at the scene, with the suspect missing. Chandler was initially taken to Norton Community Hospital for treatment and then flown to the Johnson City Medical Center.
Police found the 33-year-old suspect who allegedly shot Chandler at a Travel Inn in Kingsport, Tennessee, at around 8 p.m. on Saturday night.
He was apprehended without incident and is being held on probation violations out of South Carolina and Wise County, Virginia. Charges related to the shooting are pending.
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The investigation remains ongoing at this time. The police chief has asked the media to respect the family’s wishes and not contact them as they mourn Chandler’s death.
