Residents in Downtown Norfolk were surprised to wake up to an unusually heavy police presence Wednesday morning.
Rumors swirled as people wondered if the Norfolk Police and the Sheriff’s Office might be looking for an escaped inmate.
The Sheriff’s Office went to Twitter to clarify, “No inmates have escaped the jail. NPD is investigating an incident that occurred inside the Public Safety Building.”
According to a news release from the Norfolk Police, two sheriff’s deputies confronted a “suspicious” man in the Public Safety building at 2:30 a.m.
When deputies tried to talk to the man, a fight ensued, a deputy fired his weapon, and the man fled on foot, police said.
The police department posted this photo on Twitter asking residents for help finding the man.
#NorfolkPD needs your help identifying this man who was involved in a fight with @norfolk_sheriff deputies. Suspect is described as a white male in his 40’s wearing a blue shirt and dark colored cargo shorts. Please call 911 with information. More to follow. pic.twitter.com/w9aB1Z3wXG
— Norfolk Police Dept (@NorfolkPD) May 29, 2019
Police took the man, later identified as Jeffrey A. Owens of Williamsburg, into custody a few hours later at MacArthur Center while Norfolk Police Bomb Squad cleared a bag left inside the Public Safety Building.
Owens, 58, was taken to Sentara Norfolk General hospital to be treated for what police described as “non-life-threatening” gunshot wound.
He is charged with two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer and attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer. Authorities said Owens will be taken to jail after he’s released from the hospital.
The manhunt caused blocked roadways and limited public transportation for commuters.
The Public Safety Building will stay closed while police continue the investigation, authorities said Wednesday.
Authorities didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
