GLOUCESTER CO., Va. — A man who allegedly fired shots near George Washington Memorial Highway Thursday afternoon — prompting officials to shut down traffic on the highway while they investigated — was shooting at a wild animal in the area, according to Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office.
Around 2:50 p.m., the sheriff's office says a call came in about multiple shots fired in the 3400 block of George Washington Memorial Highway. The caller said they saw a male with a rifle who fired at least one shot across the highway, the sheriff's office says.
Once deputies got there, they said they heard more shots fired. The sheriff's office then shut down traffic in the area while they investigated.
Just before 4 p.m., the sheriff's office shared that the man and the firearm were located. The sheriff's office says they found evidence that shows the man fired multiple times at a wild animal in the area.
No one was injured and nearby businesses weren't damaged during the incident, the sheriff's office added.
The sheriff's office thanked the public for their patience during the traffic shutdown.
"Public safety is of the utmost importance and closing GWMH in this area was absolutely necessary in order to resolve this incident in the safest way possible," said the sheriff's office.
The incident is still under investigation.
