Police Shoot Bedford Man Who Pointed Gun at Trooper After Ramming Police Cars

BEDFORD – A Bedford man is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a Virginia State Trooper shot him as he pointed a gun at troopers Wednesday.

Daniel Ira Newman, 48, was initially pursued by the Bedford Police Department and the Bedford County Sheriff’s Department for several traffic violations. State Police were called to assist in the chase involving the 1998 Chrysler Sebring Newman was driving, the Virginia State Police (VSP) said Wednesday.

The incident happened around 12:52 a.m., state police say.

The car struck two state police cars then crashed into a fence in the 3800 block of Falling Creek Road. That’s when the driver got out of the car and pointed a firearm at the trooper, who discharged his weapon, hitting Newman.

No officers were injured in the incident, state police say.

Newman was flown to Roanoke Memorial Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Charges are pending on Newman.

A section of Falling Creek Road was closed to traffic through 6:35 a.m. Wednesday as the VSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation Salem Division investigated the shooting.

The trooper involved has been placed on administrative leave until the investigation is complete. The results of the investigation will be turned over to the Bedford County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.