Gunfire Sunday Injures 2 Officers, Spotsylvania Man

Two deputies and a Spotsylvania man were wounded during an exchange of gunfire early Sunday morning, according to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office. The man now faces four counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star.

Around noon, as SCSO deputies attempted to serve an Emergency Commitment Order on Michael Antosh, 61, at a home on the 10300 block of Gordon Road, the man barricaded himself in the residence and threatened officers with a large caliber firearm, according to an SCSO report.

The SCSO’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) responded to the scene. Negotiators for several hours attempted engage Antosh in conversation, with very little success, according to the report. The apparently agitated suspect made numerous threats toward law enforcement and other people on the scene.

Officers with the Fredericksburg Police Department also assisted with perimeter control.

Around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, the SCSO report stated, this morning, Mr. Antosh began firing at deputies, who returned fire. Two deputies and Antosh were wounded in the exchange, according to the report. The deputies were reported in stable condition at Mary Washington Hospital; Antosh received surgery and was listed in critical condition.

The Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation into the incident. Felony charges were pending against Antosh. The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star reported that the man faces four counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, but has not been served because he remains unconscious.

“Once he is conscious and able to understand what he is being charged with, he will be served,” SCSO Capt. Jeff Pearce told the FLS.

Sheriff Roger L. Harris of Spotsylvania County and Sheriff Charles E. Jett of Stafford County have communicated during and after the arrest operation and have commended the bravery of the deputies, from both agencies, involved in the capture of Mr. Antosh. 

“You hope something like this never happens, but you always prepare for when it does,” stated Sheriff Harris in an SCSO press release. “The bravery and professionalism shown by the Deputies from our two agencies is a testament to the professionalism and the high degree of dedication of these young men and women in helping to keep our communities safe.”

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1-800-928-5822 or 1-540-582-5822

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