GLOUCESTER COUNTY, Va. — During a press conference, Gloucester County Sheriff Darrell Warren Jr. shared details about an officer-involved shooting that happened on Saturday, March 25. Sheriff Warren Jr. said following an investigation, Virginia State Police concluded that the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The shooting in question happened after deputies were dispatched to the 7000 block of Ark Rd. to respond to a call for help, according to the Gloucester County Sheriff's Office (GCSO). Days after the shooting occurred, GCSO said the suspect, Willie Giles, and deputies exchanged fire. GCSO said Giles sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital.
Following the incident, GCSO said the case was being investigated by Virginia State Police, per its officer-involved shooting protocol. The deputies involved in the incident were put on leave.
The following Monday, officials said the armed suspect had succumbed to his wounds.
At the press conference, held on Friday, April 21, Sheriff Warren Jr. provided more details about the incident.
The information Sheriff Warren Jr. shared about the shooting, in chronological order, is as follows:
- On Saturday, March 25, a homeowner called GCSO for help and said Giles was threatening to break into her home, shoot her dog, and shoot himself. He also said he had a 9mm handgun. The homeowner said she was previously in a relationship with Giles that had ended. The homeowner was not in the residence at the time, but said she could see Giles on security cameras.
- Two deputies arrived at the scene separately, both getting there around 5:30 p.m. One deputy found Giles’ pickup truck in front of the residence. Both deputies were in uniform displaying their badges.
- One of the deputies saw a man on the back deck, and after, the other deputy saw him walking down the steps. The man was later identified as Giles.
- Both deputies gave Giles verbal commands to show his hands. Giles then pointed a gun at one of the deputies and fired. Right after, he turned and fired at the other deputy.
- The body camera footage showed that at least 10 shots were exchanged between Giles and the two deputies. The whole exchange was over in a matter of seconds.
- EMS was at the scene quickly. Giles was airlifted to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Virginia State Police concluded their investigation and found that Giles died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Sheriff Warren Jr. said after shooting at the deputies, Giles turned the gun on himself.
Both deputies have been cleared of any wrongdoing, and Sheriff Warren Jr. commended the two for their actions.
“Giles came to this residence with evil intentions and was interrupted by two courageous deputies who miraculously were able to survive his attempts to shoot his way out of the situation,” said Sheriff Warren Jr.
He said this was the first officer-involved shooting since 2011 in Gloucester County. He added that the two deputies both have less than five years of experience.
Both deputies are still on administrative leave with pay and doing well, said Sheriff Warren Jr. They will go through a psychological evaluation before returning.
