CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – An Augusta County Sheriff’s deputy was shot while attempting to serve an arrest warrant Wednesday night outside of Staunton, the sheriff’s office announced. The suspect was killed, Virginia State Police announced.

Deputies went to a location at about 8:38 p.m. to arrest a suspect in the 800 block of Petersburg Turnpike, just west of the Staunton city limits. When they arrived, they encountered the suspect, and a physical altercation ensued, according to the sheriff’s office.

During the altercation, a deputy was shot in the upper arm and was airlifted to UVA for treatment, according to the release from Sheriff Donald Smith.

State Police are now investigating, and no other information will be released from the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, including the name of the suspect or the charges that person is facing.

“Preliminary information indicates three deputies assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit were attempting to take a subject into custody when shots were fired,” the VSP said. “One deputy was struck in the arm and has been transported by medical helicopter to the University of Virginia Medical Center for treatment. The deputy’s injuries are reported as non-life-threatening.
The suspect involved in the incident was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

CvilleRightNow has reached out to State Police for more information.

Around the Commonwealth, other law enforcement agencies responded to the incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the deputy who was injured while serving their community last night, as well as their family and agency,” the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office shared on in a social media post. “We respectfully ask our community to keep them in your thoughts during this time and pray for a full recovery.”