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Virginia Officer Ambushed in Vehicle, Car Riddled by Rifle Fire

"We received several calls reporting that a motorist had allegedly been shot by a lone motorist of a light blue sedan," James City County Police Chief said.

by Staff
July 18, 2024
Virginia Officer Ambushed in Vehicle, Car Riddled by Rifle Fire

A James City County, Virginia, Police officer was ambushed in this patrol car Wednesday by a man firing a rifle. Police say the vehicle had more than 100 bullet holes. The officer suffered minor injuries.

Credit:

James City County PD

1 min to read



A James City County, Virginia, police officer suffered minor injuries Wednesday when a road rage suspect ambushed him in his patrol vehicle, riddling the car for five minutes.

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"We received several calls reporting that a motorist had allegedly been shot by a lone motorist of a light blue sedan," James City County Police Chief Mark Jamison told 13NewsNow.

Jamison added that the vehicle was struck by up to four rounds, but the driver was not injured.

When police officers arrived in the neighborhood to investigate, a man, later identified as Andrew Susalis, 35, allegedly opened fire on them from the upper floor of a residence while they were still a few houses away. Authorities said Susalis shot at the police car for several minutes, riddling it with more than 100 bullet holes.

Deputies said they did not return fire because they couldn't pinpoint where exactly the gunfire was coming from. Susalis eventually surrendered peacefully and is now in custody.


Susalis is charged with: two counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, two counts of felony reckless handling of a firearm, one count of felony destruction of property, and one count of felony shooting into an occupied dwelling. 

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