Virginia Deputy Killed, Another Wounded in Shooting; Manhunt Underway for Suspect
A massive manhunt is underway in southern Virginia after a sheriff’s deputy was killed and another wounded late Wednesday night in a shooting that unfolded during a welfare check.
The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday it is searching for Michael Puckett, the suspect accused of opening fire on two deputies who responded to a wellness check request at a home off Fancy Gap Highway in Cana, a small community near the North Carolina border.
According to Sheriff Kevin Kemp, the deputies arrived at the residence just before 9:30 p.m. May 29 after a family member requested the check. Upon arrival, they encountered Puckett, who allegedly fired at them. The deputies returned fire but both were struck in the exchange.
Deputy Logan Utt, 31, died from his injuries. The second deputy, whose name has not been released, was hit in his ballistic vest and, after being evaluated at a hospital, was listed in stable condition early Thursday morning.
“We’re still actively searching for the suspect,” Kemp told USA TODAY Thursday afternoon. He said it was unclear whether Puckett fled on foot or in a vehicle.
The shooting has sent a shockwave through the tight-knit community of Cana, where law enforcement officers are often seen as neighbors and friends. The incident also underscores ongoing concerns about officer safety even during routine calls. Deputy Utt, a U.S. military veteran who joined the sheriff’s office in 2023, had long dreamed of becoming a deputy, according to the agency. Kemp described him as a husband and father.
Multiple agencies are assisting in the hunt, including the U.S. Marshals Service, which has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to Puckett’s arrest. The Virginia State Police are also investigating the shooting.
The sheriff’s office urged the public not to approach Puckett, whom they describe as armed and extremely dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 immediately.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Virginia sheriff's deputy fatally shot. Search for suspect underway