Charlottesville: Active shooter incident has closed Rt 250 and 29 bypass

[Yonnie3]

I've been following this incident on the scanner and twitter. Shelter in place request for multiple schools and the general area has been lifted. Police negotiation failed and gunfire occurred. It was about 2 hours from the first shots fired call until the police fired. Shooter was wounded and taken to medical center in critical condition.

The news media breathlessly rephrases the police releases. It is not much information.

CPD: Bypass, Hydraulic Road area closed following officer-involved shooting

UPDATE at 12:25 p.m.: The Charlottesville Police Department says the area around the Route 250 Bypass and Hydraulic Road will be closed for a while following an officer-involved shooting.

A suspect who pointed a firearm at officers has been shot and is in critical condition at the University of Virginia Medical Center.

There will be a press conference at 1 p.m.

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https://www.cbs19news.com/story/48470008/cpd-responding-to-incident-near-red-roof-inn

I see they updated the news story as I was typing this post.

[Yonnie3]

1. Press release

Charlottesville Area Police Agencies Respond to Active Shooter Incident

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – On February, 28, 2023 at approximately 10:05 a.m., an Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD) detective spotted a wanted individual in the City of Charlottesville.

When the detective engaged the suspect, he fled on foot to a wooded area on Emmet St. near the 250 bypass and fired several rounds. A perimeter was established and a shelter in place advisement was issued for the area. The ACPD tactical team responded to take over the perimeter. Shortly thereafter, the suspect fled the wooded area towards a populated parking lot. Several attempts to use less lethal force were made, but were unsuccessful. The suspect then pointed a firearm at the officers, who responded by shooting the suspect.

The suspect was transported to UVA Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries. He is identified as Mr. Billy Sites, a 44-year-old white male of Albemarle County.

The Virginia State Police (VSP) is investigating this incident in full cooperation with ACPD and the Charlottesville Police Department; any future media inquiries should be directed to them.

This is an ongoing investigation; anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers Tip Line at [phone]

https://charlottesville.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1340

[Wonder Why]

2. Yet, it is amazing how many police and sheriff's officers don't want cameras. It

is the one thing that can often show that their decisions are proper or even understandable. I guess it's the ones who do the wrongs who don't want the truth known. They should be summarily fired and their reports and testimony considered to be not proven factual if they fail to have the cameras on and properly worn even if it turns out that the cameras would not have shown what happened if they were on. An officer who doesn't have the cameras on in the vehicle and his/her body would have their testimony considered hearsay even if their camera was blocked by an external object.

For an honest officer, the camera is a tool that can help verify his/her statements even in the face of questioning by those not there.

I am making no statement that implies the officers in this case even were issued a camera much less failed to use them.