James City County, Va.- A James City County Police officer is lucky to be alive after he was pinned between two cars and threatened. A shooting in the parking lot of the Colonial Manor Assisted Living Center left one person dead and two in the hospital.
The officer suffered a broken pelvis and a fractured elbow.
Police say the 44-year-old officer was called to the facility at around 4:22 p.m. on Monday after a fight broke out between the suspect and his roommate. When employees told the man to leave, that’s when the officer approached him.
“The officer had exited his vehicle and was struck by the suspect’s car, pinning the officer against the car. The officer was able to draw his weapon and fired shots into the vehicle, says Major Steve Rubino, James City County Police spokesman.
But the man did not drive away. Instead, police say he got out of the car and walked over to the collapsed officer.
After a struggle, the officer shot and killed the 26-year-old suspect, identified as Anthony Michael Bland.
The officer was flown to Sentara Norfolk General with serious injuries.
Dr. Pedro Beccera, Director of Colonial Manor, says the man had only been there for a few months as part of a temporary program to help those without a place to live get back on their feet.
“It is very unfortunate. We in good heart provided a service to the community,” says Beccera.
The suspect’s roommate, who was also in the program, was taken to the hospital and was released.
The Virginia State Police are investigating the criminal side of the case while James City County Police are looking internally, making sure the officer handled the situation properly.
