SUFFOLK, Va. — A person was shot while fleeing a traffic stop in Suffolk on Thursday, officials said.
A spokesperson for the city of Suffolk said in a release that Suffolk police initiated a traffic stop around 9:40 p.m. on St. James Avenue near West Washington Street.
Officials say during the traffic stop the vehicle fled towards one of the police officers, prompting an officer to fire several shots, striking the driver.
Police pursued the vehicle to the 100 block of Brewer Avenue. The driver, later identified as Rajeik Ahmad Beale, received immediate medical attention from police and Fire & Rescue at the scene. He was then transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
On Monday, Beale was released from the hospital and transferred to Western Tidewater Regional Jail where he has been charged with four counts of unlawful possession or aggressive use of a machine gun, conspiracy to commit a felony, disregarding a police command to stop, fleeing from a law enforcement officer and driving under suspension.
Officers also apprehended two other suspects nearby and continued to search for a fourth suspect.
Arias Nazareth Worrell has been charged with eluding police, obstruction of justice, and three counts of possessing a machine gun for offensive or aggressive purposes. Labryan Nasir Mann has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, eluding police, obstruction of justice, and three counts of possessing a machine gun for offensive or aggressive purposes.
The fourth suspect was identified as Jyshan Deonte Lee, who faces charges of eluding police, obstruction of justice, and three counts of possessing a machine gun for offensive or aggressive purposes. According to police, he turned himself in Friday evening.
The Suffolk Police officer involved has been placed on administrative leave while criminal and administrative investigations take place.