Officer-involved shooting at rest stop in Augusta County

AUGUSTA (WSLS 10) – Virginia State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Augusta County.

Troopers say it happened Sunday evening at a rest area on Interstate 81.

The incident started with a suspicious person call to state police about two men at the southbound Interstate 81 rest area, at the 232mile marker in Augusta County.

The two men were making comments that alarmed another driver who had also stopped at the rest area.

A trooper responded at 9:46 p.m., Sunday, and approached the two men at their vehicle. Police say during the course of talking with them, one of the men ran away.

Police say he ran across the southbound lanes, through the median and across to the northbound rest area. The trooper ran after him and encountered the man at the fence line behind the rest area.

The man then pulled out a knife, according to police, and advanced on the trooper. The trooper then shot him.

Police say the man was flown to UVA Hospital in Charlottesville for the treatment of serious injuries.

The second man has been detained by state police for questioning.

The trooper was not injured in the incident and in accordance with Virginia State Police policy, the trooper has been placed on administrative leave with pay.