A Martinsville Police Officer and a 37-year-old man are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries following an alleged shooting incident Wednesday.
City of Martinsville Police Chief Eddie Cassady requested the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Salem Field Office investigate the incident that began around 9:38 p.m. on Jan. 1, when a Martinsville Police Officer allegedly tried to stop a 2002 Toyota Pickup for a traffic violation on Memorial Boulevard at Askin Street.
The operator of the vehicle allegedly refused to stop when the officer activated emergency equipment, and a pursuit was initiated, according to a release from the state police.
As the pickup traveled down Theatre Street in Henry County, the release alleged the driver jumped from the moving vehicle and fled on foot.
The truck continued to roll down an embankment, crossed over Joseph Martin Highway and crashed into an embankment. No other vehicles were struck during the pursuit or by the driverless pickup.
When Martinsville Police located the suspect behind a nearby apartment building, a man allegedly began firing at and struck one of the Martinsville Police Officers. Officers at the scene returned fire, the release stated.
A firearm was recovered at the scene.
The man allegedly involved in the incident was flown to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries sustained in the incident.
The Martinsville Police Officer was flown to Wake Forest Baptist Health in North Carolina and is undergoing treatment for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
The investigation continuing, according to the release, and charges are pending.
