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.
Crime
Woman Fatally Struck by Semi-Truck on Birmingham Interstate Exit Ramp Identified as Shontea Baker

Authorities have identified the woman who was killed earlier this week after being struck by a semi-truck on an interstate exit ramp in Birmingham.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed on Friday that the victim was Shontea Renee Baker, 40, a Birmingham resident.
The fatal incident occurred at approximately 10:26 a.m. Wednesday on the Arkadelphia Road exit ramp from Interstate 59/20.
Emergency responders pronounced Baker deceased at the scene at 10:42 a.m.
At this time, no further details regarding the circumstances of the crash have been released.
The Birmingham Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident.