From State Police: A Bedford County man faces additional charges following a pursuit in Bedford County Jan. 19, 2016. An investigation conducted by the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Salem Field Office has resulted in George L. Chasson being charged with one felony count of attempted capital murder of a police officer and one felony count of shooting from an occupied vehicle. Chasson, 34, continues to be held without bond at the Bedford County Adult Detention Center. The new charges stem from a pursuit Tuesday morning in Bedford County.
(Continue reading for the rest of the news release and for the original story on this pursuit.)
At approximately 11:07 a.m., while responding to a domestic call at a Bedford County residence, deputies with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office encountered the suspect vehicle associated to the emergency call. When the deputies attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, the 2004 GMC sped away and a pursuit was initiated. During the course of the pursuit, investigators confirmed that Chasson shot at a Virginia State Police trooper assisting with the pursuit. By 12:13 p.m., the GMC was stopped and Chasson taken into custody without further incident. In addition to the charges placed by Virginia State Police Chasson was charged with one felony count of eluding police by the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office. No law enforcement personnel were injured in the shooting or pursuit.
ORIGINAL STORY FROM from the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office: At 11:07 this morning, Bedford County 911 dispatchers received a call from a female who stated that her husband was making threats of going on a rampage. The caller stated that she was not at home when she made the call. She also advised that her husband had weapons with him. As Bedford County sheriff deputies were responding to 2089 Wheatland Road and met the suspect traveling south on Wheatland Road. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle and a pursuit ensued. The suspect came to a stop at Flint Hill Baptist Church. Deputies attempted to have the suspect to exit the vehicle, but he failed to comply and fled the scene in the vehicle towards the Town of Bedford. At this time a Virginia State Trooper joined Bedford County deputies in their pursuit. During the vehicle pursuit the deputies and trooper reported that shots were fired from the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was stopped at 12:13 p.m. at the intersection of Dickerson Mill Rd. and Moneta Road. George Luban Chasson, age 34, was taken into custody without incident and was transported to the Bedford Adult Detention Center and is being held without bond. Bedford County sheriff’s deputies charged Chasson with felony eluding police. No one was injured during this encounter. Several firearms were found in the suspect’s vehicle. The Virginia State Police is investigating the possible discharge of a firearm during the pursuit and additional charges may be pending.