ROCKY MOUNT, Va. – At the request of Rocky Mount Police Chief Ken Criner, the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Salem Field Office is investigating a non-fatal officer-involved shooting in the Town of Rocky Mount.

On Saturday (Oct. 14) shortly before midnight, a Rocky Mount Police Officer located an adult male subject with a pending emergency custody order. Less than an hour earlier, a Franklin County magistrate issued the order to commit the individual into custody for evaluation by medical professionals.

The officer stopped his vehicle to approach the subject at the Rocky Mount Plaza shopping center on Tanyard Road.

As the officer approached the subject, the man began physically assaulting the officer. During the altercation, the officer fired at the subject, striking him and ending the assault.

Multiple law enforcement and public safety agencies responded to the incident.

The male subject was transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital by ambulance for treatment of a non-life threatening injury.

The officer was transported to Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital by ambulance for treatment of non-life threatening injuries sustained in the assault. The officer has been treated and released.

The officer is on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the inquiry, per standard department policy.

The Rocky Mount Police Department will have no further comment at this time due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. 

On October 2, Lt. Terry Dameron and Deputy Tim Burton were at Teens & Tots to read a book or two and do a K9 demonstration with K9 Rex. The kids had a great time, especially seeing K9 Rex in action. The officers read “Gloria” and “Officer Buckle”. The Office of the Sheriff enjoys having opportunities to interact with our youth and teens when possible.

UPDATE: The second juvenile teen suspect from the shooting on 10/1 has been taken in to custody in Roanoke.

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WIRTZ - On October 1, 2017 at approximately 2:30 AM, the Franklin County Emergency Communications Center received a 9-1- 1 call in reference to a possible gunshot
victim in the 1900 block of Bonbrook Mill Rd., Wirtz, VA. Deputies arrived on scene shortly to find a male subject lying in the grass behind the residence with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. The male was later identified as 20 year old Moses W. Lewis. There was also a female teen juvenile at the residence that appeared to have been assaulted. Both subjects were transported to the hospital by Franklin County Public Safety. The female was released however, Lewis remains hospitalized. Investigation revealed that an altercation had taken place at the residence.

Further investigation indicated that two male teen juvenile suspects had fled
the scene before law enforcement arrived. Deputies and Investigators from the Sheriff's Office were able to locate one suspect on the evening of October 1st. The suspect has been charged with malicious wounding and robbery, both felony charges. The second suspect has not been located at the time of this release. Due to the ages of the suspects, that information is being withheld. The investigation is ongoing.