CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- Multiple investigations are underway after a hatchet-wielding man was fatally shot by an officer in a Chesterfield County neighborhood Saturday afternoon, according to police.
Officers were called to the 1200 block of Wycliff Court around 12:50 p.m. for a breaking and entering call after a report of a "suspicious male" entering the attached garage of one house, according to Chesterfield Police. That suspect was also trying to gain access to other homes, police said.
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PHOTOS: Man with hatchet fatally shot by officer in Chesterfield
"In his attempts to enter the other homes, the suspect cut a window screen and tried door handles," police said.
WTVR CBS 6 reporter Jon Burkett said a neighbor called 911.
"As he was going to check on his stuff, he came back and saw that suspect allegedly go to another house," Burkett said.
That is when the suspect went into that house and gained access to a hatchet, according to Burkett.
"Two officers responded," Maj. Brad Badgerow with Chesterfield Police said. "They encountered the suspect walking down the street with a hatchet in his hand. They engaged the suspect, told them to stop, asking him to put the hatchet down."
Police said the man did not comply.
"One officer deployed a Taser with no effect," Badgerow said. "Officers continued to challenge the suspect to put the hatchet down and to stop advancing. [He] did not comply and a second officer discharged a firearm."
A neighbor told Burkett he was sitting in his kitchen eating lunch when he heard "at least six shots" and then "one last shot."
Officials said the officers, along with a nurse who lives in the neighborhood, rendered aid to the suspect. However, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Burkett said the two officers involved were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, which is standard practice.
Multiple probes are underway after the shooting, including the use-of-force investigation, the criminal investigation into a breaking and entering call as well as officers examining the timeline of the suspect's mental health temporary detention order.
"Within the last few days... he was under a temporary detention order," Badgerow said. "I can't tell you what happened from that point to where we are now."
The man's name has not yet been released.
Chesterfield Police Chief Col. Jeffrey Katz called what happened "one of many possible tragic outcomes to a situation that was clearly volatile before our arrival."
"One of our fundamental duties as an agency, and as a profession, is to preserve human life. Regretfully, such as in this instance, that is not always possible," Katz wrote. "While the community at large and the officers entrusted with their protection are safe; our hearts are heavy this afternoon as all human life is inherently precious."
If you have information about the case that could help detectives, call Chesterfield County Police at 804-748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660.
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
