Police investigating officer-involved shooting

Two investigations are under way following the Sunday night shooting death of a suspect in an abduction case by a Newport News tactical operations police officer.    

Robert Christopher Burchfield, 40, of Hampton, was killed and a 34-year-old York County woman – whom Burchfield had allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted just before the shooting – was injured by flying debris when the shooting occurred during an arrest attempt.

The incident began about 7:50 p.m. Sunday when the York County Sheriff’s Department requested Newport News Police assistance in capturing the suspect’s vehicle, which had been spotted in the 1000 block of Harpersville Road in Newport News. York County was investigating a suspected abduction case in its jurisdiction.

The vehicle fled the scene, but officers were able to stop the vehicle on Spring Trace Lane, off of Saunders Road. According to police, Burchfield and the woman were inside the vehicle, but weren't complying with police commands. Members of the Newport News Police Department’s tactical operations unit responded to the scene. During the standoff that followed, a tactical team member fired his weapon, striking Burchfield. 

Burchfield died at the scene, a report said. The victim was taken to a local hospital where she was treated and released.

According to police, two investigations are in progress: a criminal investigation by the Department’s Homicide Unit and an administrative internal investigation by the Department’s Professional Standards Office. The criminal investigation will be sent to the Commonwealth Attorney to determine whether the shooting was justifiable. The administrative investigation will determine whether policies and procedures were followed and to determine whether any changes in policy or training are warranted. 

The officer who fired his weapon and one witness officer were placed on administrative leave with pay pending the investigations’ outcome.

Filed under: CRIME

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