Crime
James Lehnerd in Custody After Opening Fire on Pittsylvania County Deputies Serving Warrant
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. — Three Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s deputies were injured Wednesday night while attempting to serve multiple warrants and a protective order in Gretna, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred on Blue Jay Lane when deputies approached the residence to execute the warrants.
Authorities say the deputies were met with gunfire upon arrival.
While initial reports suggested the deputies had been shot, the Sheriff’s Office later clarified that the injuries were caused by shrapnel rather than direct gunfire.
One deputy was transported to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released.
The suspect, identified as James Andru Lehnerd, was taken into custody without further incident.
According to the Pittsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, charges are pending against Lehnerd.
Due to the dangerous circumstances and difficulty in safely extracting the injured deputies from the residence, a SWAT team was deployed to the scene.
Once the situation was under control, officials from the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, and the Virginia State Police held a press briefing. Virginia State Police will lead the investigation into the shooting.
Authorities described a “very heavy scene” at the intersection of Pittsville Road and Homestead Road, with a large presence of emergency and law enforcement personnel.
Agencies responding included the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, Amherst County Sheriff’s Office, Danville Police Department, Virginia State Police, Gretna Fire and Rescue, Hurt Fire Department, U.S. Marshals, and a Centra medical helicopter.
Additional support agencies continued to arrive throughout the evening.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred at the MGM National Harbor Hotel and Casino, leaving one man dead and another injured. Prince George’s County Police confirmed the fatality in a statement released on social media.
According to investigators, two adult men were struck by gunfire during the incident.
One victim was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries.
The second victim sustained a non-life-threatening injury after a bullet grazed him and was treated at the scene or a nearby medical facility.
Police stated that the suspect fled the location immediately after the shooting and remains at large.
At this time, officials have not released information regarding what led up to the incident. However, investigators emphasized that preliminary findings suggest the shooting was not a random act of violence.
The investigation remains active, and authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the victims or provided a suspect description.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact Prince George’s County Police as the search for the shooter continues.