A man who stated that he had killed his father during a 911 call was later fatally shot by responding officers in Botetourt County on Wednesday morning, according to the sheriff’s office.
At approximately 7 a.m., deputies responded to a home on High Ridge Circle, where they found an armed man outside. He has now been identified as 23-year-old Liam Gerald McCaul, of Nashville, Tennessee.
The deputies began negotiating with McCaul in an effort to de-escalate the situation. A trained crisis negotiator attempted to engage with him, but communication was ultimately cut off when he disconnected, authorities reported.
As the deputies approached, McCaul raised his firearm and pointed it at the officers, prompting them to discharge their weapons, striking him.
Emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene and provided aid, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Inside the house, deputies discovered the body of 58-year-old Hugh Gerald McCaul, of Troutville.
The scene has been secured, and authorities assure the public that there is no ongoing threat. In line with standard procedure, the Virginia State Police have been called in to conduct an independent investigation into the shooting.
Virginia State Police said no deputies were injured. The deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave by the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office in accordance with their policy.
We will continue to update this article as we learn more.