CAMPBELL COUNTY (WSLS 10) - Questions remain following the shooting death of an armed man in Campbell County. Police said Trevon Scruggs initiated a shootout with deputies after he locked himself and a 3 year old inside a bedroom for hours.
Family members said they are still trying to wrap their heads around what went wrong. They said Scruggs loved his son and would never hurt him.
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Police said the incident started Friday, Dec. 18, at 9:29 p.m. when the Campbell County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call.
Marquitta Scruggs, Trevon's relative, said she does not know what sparked it but she believes the 24 year old was battling depression.
"He was depressed. He wanted to be left alone with his son," said Marquitta Scruggs, Trevon's family member.
According to police, there were repeated attempts to get both the father and son out safely. Authorities said at approximately 2:58 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 19, Scruggs shot through the bedroom door at a deputy on the other side. The deputy was not injured and no shots were fired by the deputies.
Police said hostage negotiations continued for about 15 hours. Shortly before 12:05 p.m., Saturday, the 3 year old son emerged from the bedroom. Officers said a state police negotiator was trying to coax the toddler to safety and Scruggs began shooting. State police returned fire.
Family members believe the police presence was too much for Trevon to handle mentally.
"Trevon was scared because there were too many officers," said Scruggs.
Scruggs was flown to Lynchburg General Hospital where he died shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday. The toddler is now with family members.
Trevon's funeral will be held on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Spreading Oak Baptist Church in Buckingham County.