CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. — A driver has died after an "exchange of gunfire" following a traffic stop in Chesterfield County early Sunday morning, according to authorities.
It happened along Iron Bridge Road and Jessup Road after an officer pulled over the driver at 4:45 a.m., Lt. Debby K. Tennissen with Chesterfield Police said.
"At some point during that encounter, a struggle ensued between the officer and the driver of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle managed to flee that encounter whereupon there was an exchange of gunfire," Tennissen said. "After a short vehicle pursuit, there was a second exchange of gunfire."
SCENE VIDEO: Driver dead after 'exchange of gunfire' during Chesterfield traffic stop, police say
The driver, who Crime Insider sources told Jon Burkett has ties to Petersburg, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
No officers were injured, Tennissen said.
"At this time, details are still emerging and this incident remains under investigation," Tennissen said.
Officials said Iron Bridge Road and Jessup Road would remain closed for "an extended period of time."
Neighbors who live along Iron Bridge Road near the scene said the area is mostly quiet, but that they have seen an uptick in speeding drivers. Police have not said why the driver was pulled over.
“Even if the traffic stop was for something as benign as speeding, when someone struggles with an officer, reaches for a firearm, flees from an officer, you’re elevating the whole encounter and it makes the officer more justified in using reasonable force," Todd Stone, a legal analyst for WTVR CBS 6, said.
As a result, Stone believes that based on what police are saying, their investigation could be "pretty cut and dry."
"In the end, if there’s shots going both ways and there’s a struggle between them, the question about whether the officer had a reasonable fear for his or her safety, it’s probably going to be a pretty easy one,” Stone said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Chesterfield County Police at 804-748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660 or through the P3 app.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have information to share.
