PITTSYLVANIA CO., Va. – Aug. 14 5:50 p.m. update
The Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office has provided more information on the incident that occurred Wednesday evening.
As previously reported, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Blue Jay Lane in Pittsville at approximately 5:36 p.m. to serve warrants.
According to officials, Lehnerd resisted the service of the criminal warrants and protective order and began firing at the officers. Three of the four officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries from the shots being fired at them. Additional law enforcement officers arrived to support in the evacuation of the initial wounded deputies, the containment, and the subsequent apprehension of the shooter. One investigator was treated and released at the Gretna ER Wednesday evening.
Officials say countless attempts to contact the suspect were made by members of the Negotiation teams without success, after which special weapons and tactics team members made entry into the residence, and 36-year-old Lehnerd was taken into custody without incident at 11 p.m.
Lehrned was arraigned Wednesday morning and has been appointed an attorney and is being held without bond.
A probable cause hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in the Pittsylvania County General District Court. Additional charges are anticipated.
The Sheriff’s Offices said its grateful to the following agencies that responded with manpower and resources: The Virginia State Police, The Lynchburg Police Department, The ATF, FBI, U.S. Marshalls Service, the following Police Departments, Danville Police, Chatham Police, Gretna Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office Michael W. Taylor, Sheriff 21 North Main Street Post Office Box 407 Chatham, Virginia 24531 Telephone: (434) 432-7800 (434) 656-6211 Fax: (434) 432-7823 2 Police, the following Sheriff’s Offices, Amherst, Bedford and Campbell County, Pittsylvania County Fire and Rescue the 911 Dispatchers and Critical Care Paramedics and Centra’s Hospital air support
Aug. 14 - 1:15 p.m. update
10 News is learning more about a shots-fired incident that left three Pittsylvania County deputies injured.
Search warrants reveal that the investigator taken to the hospital is Molly Motley and that the suspect, James Andru Lehnerd, fired at her with a high-powered rifle.
As we’ve previously reported, three deputies had been responding to a home along Blue Jay Lane in Pittsville when everything unfolded. The deputies were there to serve a warrant and issue a protective order. The warrants were for brandishing a firearm and trespassing stemming from an incident on Aug. 9.
Search warrants state that on Aug. 9, an investigator responded to a residence in the 100 block of Blue Jay Lane in Pittsville after a man, Stephen Kinsley, reported coming out to walk his dog and noticing Lehnerd standing down the road in just boxers and a shirt. Kinsley told authorities that Lehnerd was reciting the Lord’s Prayer. When Kinsley approached, he saw something at Lehnerd’s side. At that moment, a neighbor was walking down the road and Lehnerd flashed a firearm at the neighbor, the warrants said.
Kinsley began walking back to his home, but Lehnerd placed his finger on the trigger. Kinsley asked Lehnerd to hand over the firearm slowly and told him he needed to return to his residence. Because Kinsley didn’t have his cell phone, he went inside to call 911, but Lehnerd followed him. When Kinsley tried to close the door, Lehnerd prevented it, according to the warrants.
After Kinsley managed to go inside and lock the main door, he was unaware that the door hadn’t actually locked, allowing Lehnerd to enter the home. Meanwhile, Kinsley called Pittsylvania County E-911 Communications and law enforcement arrived. Lehnerd was placed under an emergency custody order after Kinsley told him multiple times to leave.
Aug. 14 - 9:30 a.m. update:
James Andru Lehnerd has been charged with attempted aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer, according to court records.
He was arraigned at 8:30 a.m. in the Pittsylvania General District Court.
Stay with 10 News as this breaking news story continues to develop
10:45 p.m. Update:
Officials have provided an update on the incident that occurred in Pittsylvania County Wednesday evening.
According to Mike Taylor, the Sheriff of Pittsylvania County, just before 5 p.m., three deputies went to a home along Blue Jay Lane in Pittsville. The deputies were there to serve a warrant and issue a protective order. The warrants were for brandishing a firearm and trespassing.
Taylor said as the three deputies approached the door, they were met with gunfire. Initially, Taylor reported that two deputies were struck by shrapnel. He later clarified that all three deputies were injured by shrapnel. None of them were directly shot. One deputy was transported to the emergency room out of an abundance of caution.
Taylor said that the suspect, James Andru Lehnerd, has been taken into custody and he is currently in jail awaiting charges.
According to Sgt. Rick Garletts, the Virginia State Police will be investigating the incident.
The full press briefing can be found here:
Update:
Officials have confirmed to 10 News that a “subject” is in custody Wednesday evening after an incident required a large police presence in Pittsylvania County.
Officials will hold a press conference around 10:45 p.m. that you can stream right here on our website.
Original:
Multiple law enforcement agencies and a helicopter are currently on the scene of an incident in Pittslyvania County near Gretna, Wednesday evening.
Information is limited at this time, but 10 News is on the scene and we will continue to update this story as we get more information.