JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. — Officials say a James City County police officer who fired his gun at an armed man in January will not face charges.
The James City County Police Department said the incident happened at Lake Powell Pointe on Jan. 6 just before 7 p.m. Officers were responding to calls of a domestic dispute between 83-year-old Paul Baker and his spouse at a home on Pierside Reach.
According to the police department, when officers arrived, they found Baker with a shotgun in the front yard of the home. One officer took the spouse to find cover as the other officer ordered Baker to put down the weapon.
The spokesperson said Baker “advanced toward the officers with the shotgun drawn" before one of the officers fired their weapon. No one was hit.
Baker dropped his shotgun and was immediately taken into custody.
The officer who fired their weapon was placed on modified assignment until an investigation by the Virginia State Police (VSP) was completed. The officer is back on normal duties.
"I commend the bravery and professionalism exhibited by our officers involved in the Jan. 6 incident," Police Chief Mark Jamison wrote in a news release. "Policing is inherently dangerous, and our officers put their lives on the line daily to protect our community."