(Stafford)- The Stafford Sheriff’s Office says a deputy shot late last night is in serious but stable condition. He was hit four times and suffered injuries to his upper chest, arm, hip and thigh. Authorities say the body armor he was wearing likely saved his life. He was initally treated at Mary Washington Hospital but has been transported for surgery to another medical facility. The Sheriff’s Office is not naming the officer right now. The injured deputy has nearly two years of experience as a patrol officer.
Deputies were called to the scene of a home on Windsor Ridge Court in southern Stafford County at approximately 10:15 p.m last night. The call was placed by the suspect’s mother. Her son, 18-year old Joshua Sumter, had broken into the residence after having been forbidden to live there or to return.
Several deputies entered the home. As they were making their way up the stairs to determine the exact nature of the complaint, they saw a man lying on the floor in an upstairs bedroom. Deputies told him to show his hands. He then displayed a gun and began shooting. The deputy returned fire.
After the gunfire, Sumter fled on foot. Initial arrest warrants were obtained from the Magistrate for four counts of Attempted Capital Murder, Aggravated Malicious Wounding and four counts of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony. Immediately following the incident, surveillance was set up at several locations known to the suspect. Sumter was taken into custody in the Thomas Jefferson Place neighborhood without incident or injury early this morning.
While being escorted from the Sheriff’s Office to the jail, Sumter attempted a violent escape and assaulted a deputy, but was quickly taken back into custody. Charges from that attempt include Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer and Escape with Force. Sumter was transported to the Rappahannock Regional Jail where he is held without bond.