A police officer in a Virginia city was killed by a driver during a traffic stop before he could get out of his patrol vehicle, authorities reported.
On Friday afternoon, Officer Dominic “Nick” J. Winum, 48, was shot dead in the city, Stanley Police Chief Ryan Dean said in a statement.
Media reported that Winum was shot by 29-year-old Dakota G. Richards before he could get out of his patrol vehicle. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Virginia state police told the media that Richards fled, but was later found hiding in a barn. The suspect reportedly made a “threatening move” and was shot dead by officers.
It was unclear what led to the traffic stop.
Winum had been with Stanley police since 2016, Dean said. Earlier, Virginia state police said he had been a state soldier.