WINTERGREEN, Va. – UPDATE
The hearing for the man who was arrested for shooting and killing a Wintergreen law enforcement officer has been continued until this October, according to court documents.
As we reported below, Daniel Barmak, 23 of Towson, Maryland, was arrested for assaulting the two men and fatally shooting Wintergreen Police Officer Chris Wagner. He has been charged with the following, documents show:
- Capital murder
- Use of a firearm in the commission of a felony
- Two felony counts of malicious wounding
Authorities said Officer Wagner was the first to arrive at the residence and encountered Barmak in the woods when the struggle ensued. We’re told over the course of the struggle over Wagner’s department-issued handgun, Barmak shot and killed the officer.
Police said Barmak was also shot during the struggle and was transported to UVA Medical Center for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury.
Wintergreen police took Barmak into custody without further incident. Police said inside the residence, authorities recovered illegal narcotics.
Wagner’s remains have been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner for examination and autopsy, according to state police.
At the request of Wintergreen Police Chief Dennis Russell, the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office is investigating the incident.
Barmak was set to appear for an arraignment on June 21, according to court records, but that hearing has been postponed to October 4.
UPDATE
Virginia State Police are providing an update in the investigation of a fatal officer-involved shooting in Wintergreen Friday night.
According to police, a Maryland man has been arrested for assaulting the two men and fatally shooting Wintergreen Police Officer Chris Wagner.
VSP said Daniel Barmak, 23 of Towson, Maryland has been charged with the following:
- Capital murder
- Use of a firearm in the commission of a felony
- Two felony counts of malicious wounding
Barmak is being held at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.
Authorities said Wagner was the first to arrive at the residence and encountered Barmak in the woods when the struggle ensued. We’re told over the course of the struggle over Wagner’s department-issued handgun, Barmak shot and killed the officer.
Police said Barmak was also shot during the struggle and was transported to UVA Medical Center for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury.
Wintergreen police took Barmak into custody without further incident. Police said inside the residence, authorities recovered illegal narcotics.
Wagner’s remains have been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner for examination and autopsy, according to state police.
At the request of Wintergreen Police Chief Dennis Russell, the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office is investigating the incident.
The Nelson County Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney released the following statement regarding the incident.
ORIGINAL STORY
An investigation is underway after a Wintergreen Police Officer was shot and killed Friday night, according to Virginia State Police. Wintergreen Police Chief Dennis Russell identified the officer as Mark Christopher “Chris” Wagner II.
Virginia State Police say the incident resulted in the fatal shooting of a Wagner and the injury of three others Friday night.
According to police, the incident began shortly after 10 p.m. Friday when an emergency call came into the Wintergreen Police Department about an adult male resident having assaulted two other 23-year-old men at a residence on Arrowwood Lane.
After calling police, the two injured males fled the residence on foot. We’re told they are being treated at UVA Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities said it appears the first Wintergreen Police Officer to arrive at the residence located the adult male suspect in the nearby woods and a struggle ensued. VSP said during the course of the struggle, the officer was shot and died at the scene.
The male suspect was taken into custody without further incident by Wintergreen Police and the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office, according to police.
We’re told the male suspect was suffering from a non-life-threatening injury and was transported to UVA Medical Center for treatment.
Authorities said the officer’s department-issued firearm was recovered at the scene in the woods.
The investigation remains ongoing, police said.
Wintergreen Police Chief Russell released the following statement on the department’s Facebook page.
Mark Christopher Wagner II “Chris”, was a dedicated Officer who served the Wintergreen community with honor. On June 16th, 2023 Chris answered his final call before taking his place with other heroes who have gone before him by laying down his life for the people he swore to protect and serve.
Chris, was thirty-one years old, a 2010 graduate of Spotswood High School, he was a resident of Stuarts Draft. Chris is survived by his immediate family and the men and women who were his Wintergreen Police family.
Chris started his career at Wintergreen in August of 2020. Previously he served seven years with the Massanutten Police Department starting out as a Gate Attendant and then becoming a Police Officer after graduating from the Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Academy in May of 2019.
Chris asked for and worked the midnight shift. Whenever you saw Chris in the daylight, he wore dark dark sunglasses, and would crack a smile or two. Chris was dedicated to his job and whenever called for extra duty he was ready, willing and able. His love for the badge was evident and his commitment to the community was undeniable.
Chris was an avid outdoorsman, spending his off-time hiking and photographing nature. Chris is remembered for always going out of his way to cheer others up and his infectious laugh was loud and echoed throughout the office.
Chris was the Agency’s TASER and BolaWrap instructor. His father, holding back tearful emotions, remarked that Chris was like Batman and was reminded of recently gifting him a Batarang to go with all the tools Chris carried on his belt.
Chris Wagner, Wintergreen Police Officer ID #15, was and always will be a hero.
A contribution page will be announced.
Written with a heavy heart by Dennis Russell, Chief of Police.
Wintergreen Chief of Police, Dennis Russell
The contribution page for Mark Christopher “Chris” Wagner II can be found here.