DANVILLE, Va. – UPDATE
The Danville Police Department has issued an update following the officer-involved shooting on Apollo Avenue.
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As we previously reported, officers responded to the 500 block of Apollo Avenue on Jan. 17 for the report of a suspicious male and later found him nearby in the parking lot of Westwood Middle School.
We’re told officers tried to negotiate with the man, now identified as 24-year-old Nicholas Beddoo, for around 25 minutes.
During their de-escalation attempts, officers said Beddoo pulled a gun from his waistband.
Beddoo then allegedly pointed the gun away from the officers and shot the weapon before turning it back toward the officers. At that point, the officers shot Beddoo.
The three officers involved all serve in the Northwest Quarter of the Patrol Division. Their names are Sergeant Clarence Goins, Officer Seth Parker, and Officer Nicholas Smithers, according to DPD. They are all on administrative leave pending an investigation from the Virginia State Police.
Beddoo was transported to another medical facility to receive further treatment. Police said Beddoo is in stable condition.
On Wednesday, police said Beddoo was released from the medical facility. Virginia State Police has charged Beddoo with the following:
- One felony count of willfully discharging a firearm on school property,
- Two felony counts of assault and battery on a law enforcement officer.
Authorities said Beddoo is being held in the Danville City Jail without bond.
The investigation is ongoing.
UPDATE
The three officers involved in a shooting in Danville Wednesday evening have been placed on administrative leave.
According to Danville Police, the officers involved all serve in the Northwest Quarter of the Patrol Division, and are Sergeant Clarence Goins, Officer Seth Parker, and Officer Nicholas Smithers.
All three officers are on administrative leave pending an investigation from the Virginia State Police.
The man involved in the incident was identified as Nicholas Beddoo, 24, of Danville. Beddoo was transported to another medical facility to receive further treatment. Police said Beddoo is in stable condition.
ORIGINAL STORY
A man was sent to the hospital after being shot by officers in Danville Wednesday evening, according to the police department.
Officers responded to the 500 block of Apollo Avenue for the report of a suspicious male.
Authorities said they found him nearby in the parking lot of Westwood Middle School.
We’re told officers tried to negotiate with the man for around 25 minutes.
He claimed he was armed and suicidal, and when officers tried to de-escalate the situation, he drew a gun from his waistband, according to DPD.
Police said the man was ordered to drop the weapon, but instead pointed the gun away, fired, then pointed it back at the officers.
At this point, officers fired their weapons, striking the man involved, authorities said.
According to police, the man was immediately given first aid and was then taken to SOVAH Hospital Danville to be treated.
The assistance of Virginia State Police has been requested for the investigation.
No students were at Westwood Middle School at the time – the school was closed due to weather conditions and no one was present.