LYNCHBURG, Va. – UPDATE: SEPT. 28, 2023
A woman is now facing charges after an officer-involved shooting in Lynchburg on Wednesday.
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Around 9:08 a.m., police said officers were dispatched to the 2100 block of Park Avenue for the report of an assault involving a knife – the caller said a woman was chasing a man in Miller Park with the knife.
Virginia State Police has now identified that woman as 35-year-old Ashley Neeley.
Responding officers found Neeley in what they said was an agitated state sitting at a bus stop on Park Avenue, according to VSP.
Authorities said when officers tried to calm her down, she pulled out a knife, stood up, and advanced on the officers.
As we reported below, one officer shot their department-issued taser, and another fired their department-issued handgun, hitting Neeley once.
She was taken to the Lynchburg General Hospital, where she is still receiving treatment for the non-life-threatening injury she sustained during the incident, police said.
Neeley is now facing the following charges, according to state police:
- One felony count of assault on a law enforcement officer
- One misdemeanor count of assault
- One felony count of escape
We’re told Neeley was also served a protective order.
The assault charge is for the assault that caused Lynchburg Police to respond, VSP said. The felony charge of escape was from her failure to fulfill the court requirement to report to jail upon departure from a mental health facility.
Chief Ryan Zuidema requested Virginia State Police to investigate, and the investigation is ongoing.
Once state police completes its investigation, the investigative findings will be turned over to the Commonwealth’s Attorney for final review and adjudication.
As we reported earlier this year in an earlier incident, Neeley allegedly attacked officers with knives and then was shot by police.
UPDATE: 5:30 P.M. SEPT. 27, 2023
The Lynchburg Police Department is investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened on Wednesday morning.
Around 9:08 a.m., police said officers were dispatched to the 2100 block of Park Avenue for the report of an assault involving a knife – the caller said a woman was chasing a man in Miller Park with the knife.
Responding officers found the woman at the bus stop and tried to talk with her, but LPD said the woman refused to comply and reached into a bag, then pulled out a knife.
According to LPD, officers tried to de-escalate the situation, but the woman stood up and advanced on the officers with the knife in hand.
One officer shot their department-issued taser, and another fired their department-issued handgun, hitting the woman, authorities said.
The Lynchburg Fire Department was called in to help and took the woman to the Lynchburg General Hospital, where she is currently listed in stable condition, according to police.
Authorities said Chief Ryan Zuidema has contacted Virginia State Police to investigate. Meanwhile, LPD is conducting an internal investigation.
The officer who discharged their firearm has been placed on a non-enforcement, limited-duty assignment until the completion of the investigation, per the department’s normal practice, according to Lynchburg Police, and one officer in this case has been placed on limited duty.
ORIGINAL STORY
Drivers are asked to avoid Park Avenue due to an officer-involved shooting, according to the Lynchburg Police Department.
We’re told one person was hospitalized and all officers are safe.
Authorities said it happened at about 9 a.m. Wednesday morning as officers were responding to reports of an assault near Miller Park.
Virginia State Police is investigating this incident.
Any updates we receive will be added to this article.
Stay with 10 News as this breaking news story develops
