HAMPTON, Va. — UPDATE: A Hampton police officer is recovering after being shot in an exchange of gunfire with a man who was involved in an accident early Saturday morning. The man, who was also shot, is also expected to recover.
According to a spokesperson for the Hampton Police Division, this unfolded shortly after 1 a.m. when their emergency dispatch center received a call reporting a single vehicle crash that occurred on Woodland Road about halfway between Andrews Blvd and East Pembroke Ave.
When the officers got on the scene, they saw a silver vehicle that had crashed on the side of the road. They approached the vehicle to help, and as they did, a man got out of the vehicle and tried to flee the area on foot.
As more officers approached the area, the man began firing at the police officers, and they returned fire. During the exchange of gunfire, the man was shot, and one officer was injured as well.
The officer and the man were transported to a local hospital to be treated. The officer has since been released.
Tyron Parks, 31, was arrested in connection to the shooting.
He was charged with one count each of maiming of a law enforcement officer, attempt maiming of a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school and reckless handling of a firearm.
The area of Woodland Road and Andrews Boulevard was closed for an extended period of time while police conducted their investigation.
Later Saturday morning, Virginia State Police announced that responsibility for investigating the incident had been turned over to them. A spokesperson said their Bureau of Criminal Investigation would be investigating and will provide the results to the Hampton Commonwealth Attorney's Office once it is completed.