AMELIA COUNTY, Va. -- Virginia State Police have released the name of the man who was arrested around 11:20 p.m. Wednesday after he allegedly fired shots at officers from the woods in Amelia County.
Virginia State Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Vick said 46-year-old Christopher M. Coffey of Amelia County has been charged with three counts of attempted murder on a police officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and Use of a firearm while committing a felony.
Police were called to a home on Mattoax Lane at about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday for a suicide call. The man, who police described as intoxicated, made threats that there would be a shootout if his wife called police, state troopers on scene said. The man's wife and daughter made it out of the house unharmed.
"When the Trooper arrived on scene shots came from the residence at the Trooper," Virginia State Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Vick said. "A white male subject fled the residence and went into the woods. The Trooper was not injured."
Neighbors were kept away from their homes as police search the area on land and by air.
Officials said Coffey is being held without bond at the Piedmont Regional Jail.
