Sheriff: Va. deputies fatally shot armed man after chase

ABINGDON, Va. (AP) — A southwest Virginia sheriff says deputies fatally shot a man who pointed a gun at them after a lengthy chase.

Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman said at a news conference Wednesday that the man has been identified as 37-year-old Phillip Cameron Gibson II of Castlewood.

The Bristol Herald Courier and WCYB report the chase began Tuesday night when a patrol officer spotted a vehicle in Abingdon believed to have been involved in a theft earlier in the week.

Newman says Gibson fled, leading officers on a chase along an interstate and smaller roads before crashing and taking off on foot.

The sheriff says Gibson tripped and pointed a gun at officers, who then shot him.

Three deputies involved are on administrative leave. State police are investigating.

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