JAMES CITY COUNTY — A man is dead after he was shot by a police officer in the parking lot of the Food Lion at 5601 Richmond Road Sunday evening.
According to Virginia State Police, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has identified the deceased male as 57-year-old James Andrew Evans, of the 100 block of Dehaven Court, Williamsburg.
According to officials shortly after 6 p.m., James City County Police and Fire Departments were on the scene of an officer-involved shooting that occurred around 4:55 p.m. in the parking lot of the Food Lion near Richmond Road and Olde Towne Road.
According to officials, at 4:38 p.m. on March 30 James City County Police responded to a report of a fight involving a potentially armed male suspect in the 100 block of Dehaven Court. Before officers arrived, police said the suspect fled the scene in a green Nissan truck.
Using Flock technology, officers identified the suspect’s vehicle traveling toward Olde Towne Road, police said. Two James City County Police Patrol officers located the vehicle and followed it into the Food Lion parking lot, where the suspect came to a stop.
Upon stopping, the suspect exited the vehicle with a long rifle and exchanged gunfire with the two responding officers, police said. The suspect was struck by returning fire.
Officers immediately rendered lifesaving aid, but the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to police.
A large police presence was established to secure the scene and canvass the surrounding area, and the public was advised to avoid the area. There was no ongoing threat to the community, according to officials.
Virginia State Police were notified and responded to the scene. At the request of Chief Mark Jamison, the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, which includes the identity of the deceased male, has been transferred to the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, police said.
The domestic-related incident that preceded the shooting remains under James City County Police Department jurisdiction, police added.
In accordance with department policy, both officers involved have been placed on a non-enforcement, modified assignment pending the completion of the investigation, according to officials.
No James City County Police officers or civilians were injured during the incident.
Virginia State Police said the Bureau of Criminal Investigation is continuing its ongoing investigation, and will provide the outcome of the investigation to the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.
