JAMES CITY COUNTY — A James City County Police officer fired his weapon in the line of duty Saturday evening after a suspect allegedly drew a shotgun at officers following a domestic dispute in the 5200 block of Pierside Reach within the Lake Powell Pointe subdivision.
According to officials, on Jan. 6, the James City County Police Department (JCCPD) responded to reports of an armed individual at 6:55 p.m., the result of a verbal domestic dispute involving a husband, 83-year-old James City County resident Paul Baker — the armed suspect — and the caller. During the dispute, the suspect had brandished and threatened the caller with a shotgun, obstructing them from exiting the residence, police said.
The caller and armed suspect had emerged from the residence by the time police arrived, and at approximately 7:03 p.m., two responding officers took cover while the armed suspect moved throughout the front yard, police said.
While an officer verbally commanded the suspect to drop the firearm, the second officer evacuated the caller to cover. The suspect then advanced toward the officers with the shotgun drawn, and one of the officers discharged their firearm, police said. The suspect then dropped the weapon, and officers pursued and detained the suspect.
No one was injured by the firearm discharge, according to police.
Baker was evaluated at the scene by the James City County Fire Department and transported to Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail, according to police. He was charged with two counts of Assault and Battery of a Family/Household Member, Assault and Battery against a Law Enforcement Officer, Brandishing a Firearm, and Reckless Handling of a Firearm. Additional charges may be brought forward at a later date, and Baker is being held without bond.
The investigation into the officer-involved shooting was transferred to the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at the request of Chief Mark Jamison. The involved officer has been placed in a non-enforcement, modified assignment by the Chief of Police until the investigation is complete.
The domestic incident investigation remains within JCCPD jurisdiction, police said.
JCCPD thanked the Williamsburg Police Department for its assistance in securing the crime scene.
