Update: Virginia State Police and U.S. Marshals arrested 27-year-old Travis Ball in Northumberland County Saturday morning. They say he fatally shot Virginia State Police Special Agent Michael T. Walter Friday evening in Mosby Court.
RICHMOND, Va. -- Police are searching for a suspect after a Virginia State Police Special Agent was shot during an operation in Richmond's Mosby Court neighborhood Friday evening.
The victim has been identified as Special Agent Mike Walter, according to a tweet from Governor Terry McAuliffe. State Police has not confirmed that information at this time.
"Please pray for state trooper Mike Walter who was shot tonight in Richmond. Fighting for his life," McAuliffe tweeted.
Virginia State Police said the incident started around 7:30 p.m., when a Richmond police officer partnered with a Virginia State Police Special Agent approached a vehicle for a consensual encounter in the 1900 block of Redd Street.
They said the stop was initiated after the officer and special agent observed a car pull up to the curb and park the wrong way of the street.
“The Richmond Police Officer was in uniform and driving a marked Richmond Police SUV. The Richmond Police Officer and Special Agent walked up to the car and struck up a conversation with the driver as part of a consensual encounter. During the course of the encounter, the Special Agent was shot by the passenger in the car, who fled on foot,” said State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller.
The Special Agent was transported to VCU Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Richmond Ambulance Authority medics arrived within three and a half minutes and the special agent arrived at the hospital within 8 and half minutes of the call, according to a RAA official.
He is currently undergoing surgery, sources say.
Geller said the driver was detained by police and the suspect, who was the passenger in the vehicle, is still at large after fleeing the scene.
Police sources tell CBS 6 that a firearm was recovered at the crime scene. It is unclear if it is the firearm used during the shooting.
The suspect is described as a black male with a medium build, 5'8” to 5'10” tall, in his mid-20s, with a short crop haircut. He was seen wearing a red, possibly plaid, button-up shirt with 3/4 inch sleeves and khaki cargo shorts or pants.
“The most important request I ask if of myself and Virginia State Police at this time is that anyone who has information regarding this person who shot a law enforcement officer, please come forward,” plead Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham.
Durham called the Mosby Court community one of the most challenging in the City of Richmond.
“This is a plea, this is a final call, enough is enough,” said Durham. “We’ve had six homicides in the Mosby community, and 19 individuals shot (this year).”
Assisting the Virginia State Police and Richmond Police with the ongoing search are the Henrico County Police, Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, US Marshals Service, and ATF.
The shooting remains under investigation. Stay with CBS 6 for the latest on this developing story.
Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Virginia State Police at 804-553-3445 or #77 on a cell phone or by email at questions@vsp.virginia.gov. Tips can also be called in to the Richmond Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000 or to Richmond Police by calling 911.
