Police: 25-year-old shot and killed by Danville Police officer, chief releases statement
DANVILLE, Va. (WSET) -- The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Salem Field Office is investigating the fatal shooting by a Danville Police officer over the weekend.
Police have identified the man who was shot and killed as Juan Markee Jones, 25, of Danville.
Danville Police said officers were called to the 2300 block of North Main Street for a report of a domestic assault happening in the parking lot of a business early Sunday morning.
They say the caller told police she had left that location to escape an attacker.
Police tried to arrest Jones, but they said he moved away from them and ignored their commands to stop, got into a car, and drove into a nearby wooded area.
They say he continued to refuse officers' commands to show his hands and get out of the car.
Eventually, police say the man got out of the car near Oak Street but refused to show his hands.
They say police deployed a taser but it didn't contact the man.
That's when police say the man turned and threatened officers, and they fired at him.
Police immediately called for rescue and say the man was taken to Sovah Health in Danville where he was pronounced dead.
His remains have been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Roanoke for examination and autopsy.
Danville Police Chief Scott Booth urged the community to not rush to judgment about rumors and social media comments regarding the shooting.
"No Police officer wants to use deadly force nor do they want to use any form of force that could result in serious injury," Booth said Monday. "When death or serious injury happens, we deeply regret the loss of life or injury and we feel compassion for them, their family and their friends."
Once state police complete its investigation, the findings will be turned over to the Commonwealth's Attorney for review and adjudication.
"I ask citizens to reserve judgment and to wait for the State Police investigation to conclude so that factual and accurate information can be communicated to the public," Booth said.
Chief Booth also met with family members of Jones, city government, and select members of the community on Monday in an effort to assure transparency and dispel rumors.
