YORKTOWN, Va. — More details were revealed on Monday about the circumstances surrounding a York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office deputy shooting a 16-year-old boy who allegedly pointed a gun at both citizens and law enforcement Sunday evening.
In a press conference Monday afternoon, Sheriff Ron Montgomery said the teen was struck twice during deputies' response to an apartment complex. The boy, who has not been identified, remains in the hospital where the sheriff said on Sunday he underwent surgery for a wound on his side.
A spokesperson for the sheriff's office said the shooting happened after deputies got a call for someone with a gun at the Clairmont Apartments on Arcadia Loop just before 6:15 p.m.
A woman, who was at the nearby park with her children, told law enforcement that she was fearful they would be shot as the teen allegedly aimed a gun at her, resulting in a red laser beam appearing on her face at one point.
Due to the presence of people at the park, Sheriff Montgomery said there was "potential for a lot more violence was there."
Once at the scene, deputies allegedly found the teen barricaded inside a vehicle with a 9 mm pistol with an extended magazine.
Sheriff Montgomery said deputies saw the 16-year-old "crank one round out of the gun which we later found in the floorboard of the vehicle, so it was a live round. There were approximately 23 rounds that were later found in this gun he had."
Despite deputies' efforts to coax the teen out of the vehicle — even video-calling one of his family members — Sheriff Montgomery said the boy refused to verbally respond and rather pointed the firearm in various directions. Negotiations continued for roughly 10-15 minutes, according to officials.
When the boy finally stepped outside the vehicle he was holding his phone and the pistol.
He then started "waving the firearm around" and "actually pointed it in the direction of deputies," according to Sheriff Montgomery. "When he did that one of my deputies who was on scene with one of our issued rifles fired three rounds -- two of the rounds struck the individual. And once he went down deputies moved in, secured the firearm he had, and we immediately began first aid."
The teen was taken to a hospital and is in critical condition. However, the sheriff said doctors believe he will recover.
A woman who lives at the Clairmont Apartments told 13News Now it's normally a quiet neighborhood, but Sunday night's events are very concerning.
"It makes people want to move," she said. "I was talking to people last night when the police were there. They don't want to stay anymore. They're going to cut their leases short. They're finding somewhere else to live."
The deputy involved has not been publicly identified but has been with the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office for over a year and has approximately five years of experience overall. The sheriff's office said the deputy has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the investigation.
Prior to Sunday's shooting, the Sheriff's Office reported it had not been alerted to any other incidents involving the teen.
"We haven't had any contact with him. Our school resource officer was aware of him because he goes to York County schools," the sheriff said.
Officials have not yet determined if the pistol in the teen's possession was stolen or how he gained access, with Sheriff Montgomery saying, "We're confident it did not belong to the family."
Sheriff Montgomery said the department plans to consult the Commonwealth Attorney about potential charges.