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Virginia man killed by law enforcement fired first shot, Virginia State Police disclose

Posted at 11:45 AM, Apr 30, 2015
and last updated 2015-04-30 18:31:45-04

GREENSVILLE COUNTY, Va. -- A Virginia man was shot and killed by law enforcement after an hours-long standoff Wednesday. Virginia State Police are investigating the fatal shooting of 53-year-old Jeffery O. Adkins in Greensville County. A Greensville County Sheriff's Deputy and a Virginia State Trooper returned fire and killed Adkins after he first fired at officers during the standoff Wednesday night, according to a Virginia State Police spokeswoman.

"At 6:46 p.m. Wednesday, Virginia State Police responded to the 200 block of Elm Road to assist the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office with serving an Emergency Custody Order for Jeffery O. Adkins, 53. When state police arrived on scene, Adkins was outside the residence and in possession of a sawed-off shotgun. When Adkins refused to comply with law enforcement’s commands to surrender the weapon, state police dispatched negotiators to the scene to assist in negotiating with the visibly agitated subject," Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said. "Shortly before 10 p.m., state police utilized a diversionary device in an attempt to compel Adkins to comply and drop his weapon. Adkins then fired the weapon at law enforcement. A state trooper and a Greensville County deputy returned fire."

Adkins was given first aid and then taken to Southern Virginia Regional Hospital in Emporia where he later died, Geller said. His remains were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond for examination and autopsy.

The multiple law enforcement sources told WTVR CBS 6 senior reporter Wayne Covil  law enforcement responded to the Greensville County home after one of Adkins' family members called for help. Adkins, the sources said, was known to members of law enforcement who have encountered him in the past over weapons issues.

"The investigation remains ongoing at this time," Geller said. "In accordance with Virginia State Police policy, the state trooper involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave."

This is a developing story. Anyone with additional information can submit a tip here.

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