Police: Va. traffic stop death apparent suicide

STAUNTON, Va. (AP) — Virginia State Police say preliminary findings indicate that a Waynesboro man fatally shot himself during a traffic stop on Interstate 64.

State police identified the man as 42-year-old Dennis G. Hoke Jr.

The incident occurred on Oct. 16 after a trooper stopped a minivan driven by Hoke along I-64 in Augusta County.

State police said Tuesday that the trooper was obtaining Hoke’s driver’s identification when Hoke displayed a firearm. As the trooper retreated to his patrol car to take cover, an 8-year-old girl jumped out of the minivan screaming.

The trooper brought the girl to his patrol car and then heard a gunshot. He returned fire.

State police say in a news release that the medical examiner’s findings indicate that Hoke shot himself. Hoke died at the scene.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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