2 Arrested After Norfolk Officer Shot on Child Protection Call
Sean Blackwell, 57, has been with Norfolk Police for 19 years. He is currently recovering at home after suffering non-life-threatening injuries in an exchange of fire with the suspect.
A Norfolk Police officer was shot responding to a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation Saturday.
Sean Blackwell, 57, has been with Norfolk Police for 19 years, according to the Norfolk Police Department. He is currently recovering at home after suffering non-life-threatening injuries in an exchange of fire with the suspect.
Police arrived at the house around 3:20 p.m., when two suspects, a Norfolk man and a woman, became combative with Blackwell, WTKR reports.
The male suspect, Samuel M. Burton, 29, fired at officers and Blackwell returned fire, police say.
Officer Blackwell suffered a gunshot wound to an arm and two wounds in right leg, WAVY reports.
Burton was shot and seriously wounded in the gunfight.
Burton has been charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, malicious wounding of a law enforcement officer, and use of a firearm.
The female suspect, Cassandra Smith, 23, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, disorderly conduct, and obstruction of justice.
The child was taken safely from the home.
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