WASHINGTON — A teenager who was suspected of several gun crimes was shot and killed Thursday after a confrontation with a Spotsylvania County sheriff’s deputy.
In a Friday news conference, Sheriff Roger Harris said the boy was suspected in two drive-by shootings into the same home over two consecutive days.
Investigators found the boy Thursday at a town home in Salem Fields. He was armed.
“Several commands were given for him to drop the firearm,” said Harris. “The subject initially complied and placed the gun down. But as officers approached, he grabbed the gun and pointed in the direction of the officers.”
“Gunfire was exchanged between the officer and the suspect,” Harris said. “The suspect was struck several times” and died later at a hospital.
The first drive-by shooting occurred Sunday night at the home, in the 10800 block of Cedar Post Lane. Witnesses reported that shots were fired from a black Volkswagen with dark-tinted windows.
The next night, deputies responded to the same residence after another reported drive-by, which resulted in additional property damage. A .45-caliber bullet casing was found on the scene.
A .45-caliber handgun had been reported stolen from the same home earlier in the year, Harris said. In addition, Harris said, investigators believed the boy stole the Volkswagen in New Jersey before running away from home.
The boy, Harris said, has family in the Spotsylvania area.
The officer and the teenager’s names were not released.
