From the Virginia State Police Department
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Culpeper Field Office is investigating a pursuit that ended with the driver of the suspect vehicle suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The incident began Sunday (Aug. 26) at approximately 1:31 a.m. when a Town of Culpeper Police Officer observed a Toyota Camry driving at a high rate of speed through a work zone on Route 29 Business in the Town of Culpeper. The officer activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop. The Camry refused to stop for the officer and sped away. A pursuit was initiated. Moments later and within 3/4 of a mile, the driver of the Camry lost control and struck a van parked in front of a residence on Belle Avenue. The impact of that crash caused the Camry to spin out of control and finally come to a stop at the intersection of Belle Avenue and Belle Grove Court.
One of the Camry’s passengers, a 16-year-old Culpeper County male, fled the scene on foot as soon as the vehicle crashed. A canine team was able to assist with locating and apprehending him a short time later.
As the Culpeper officer approached the vehicle, he heard a single gunshot come from inside the Camry. Further investigation determined that the 16-year-old Culpeper County male driver shot himself. He was immediately transported to UVA Hospital and is still being treated for life-threatening injuries.
A 19-year-old (no fixed address) male passenger and another 16-year-old Culpeper County male passenger were taken into custody without incident. The 16-year-old was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries sustained in the traffic crash.
The Culpeper Police Officer never discharged his weapon or was injured in the incident.
State police recovered the driver’s handgun from inside the vehicle and a second handgun found outside the vehicle.
The investigation remains ongoing at this time. Charges are pending.
