Deputy killed, another injured in Virginia shooting; suspect arrested in North Carolina, SBI confirms
CARROLL COUNTY, Va. (WTVD) — The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has arrested a man wanted in connection with a deadly shooting involving a Carroll County, Virginia on Saturday.
Deputy Sheriff Logan Utt was shot and killed and another deputy was injured in the shooting while conducting a welfare check.
Sunday, the SBI announced agents arrested Michael Puckett around 8:32 p.m. in Surry County. They say he was armed with a handgun when he was taken into custody.
According to the agency, they used a drone to track Puckett moving from one location to another and made the arrest as he was ringing the doorbell at a house on Skyview Lane in Mount Airy, N.C.
A wildlife game camera captured Michael Puckett walking on Greenhill Road in Surry County Sunday morning just before 7 a.m.
Photo: Wytheville Police Department
Welfare check turns deadly
According to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, deputies were called to a home on Fancy Gap Highway around 9:30 p.m. Friday after a family member requested a welfare check.
When deputies arrived, they encountered a man identified as Michael Puckett. Authorities say Puckett opened fire on the deputies, who returned fire.
Both deputies were struck by gunfire. Deputy Logan Utt was killed. The second deputy was hit in a ballistic vest and is reported to be in stable condition.
Utt joined the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office in 2023.
Deputy Logan Utt was killed in line of duty.
Photo: Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
“Deputy Utt was a devoted husband, loving father, cherished family member, friend and respected member of our law enforcement family. His service, courage and dedication will not be forgotten,” the sheriff’s office said said. ” Today, Carroll County has lost a hero, and a family has suffered an unimaginable loss. Please keep his wife, children, family, friends and fellow deputies in your thoughts and prayer.”
Investigators say Puckett left the scene and remains at large. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including in North Carolina, are assisting in the search.
Before his arrest Sunday night, a wildlife game camera captured him walking on Greenhill Road in Surry County Sunday morning just before 7 a.m. This is north of Mount Airy in North Carolina.
Michael Puckett (Photo: Carroll County Sheriff’s Office)
Photo: Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
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