PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (rbs news now) — The Virginia State Police is investigating an officer-involved shooting that followed a traffic pursuit early Monday morning in Pittsylvania County.

According to state police, the incident occurred at about 12:31 a.m. December 29 after a state trooper located a suspect vehicle going north on Route 29.

The vehicle, a 2018 Ford Fusion, had been the subject of a “be on the lookout” alert issued by the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office following an earlier pursuit in which a deputy was unable to apprehend the driver.

Police said the trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled.

The trooper used a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver to disable the vehicle on Deerview Road.

Authorities said the suspect then produced a rifle from inside the vehicle and fired at the trooper.

The trooper returned fire, striking the suspect.

The suspect was identified as Jacob Wesley Adkins, 25, of Hurt.

Adkins was pronounced dead at the scene.

The trooper sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and, with assistance from Pittsylvania County deputies, was transported to Centra Gretna Medical Center, where the trooper was treated for injuries.

Virginia State Police said the Bureau of Criminal Investigation will complete the investigation and submit its findings to the Pittsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for review.

Copyright 2025 by Romero Broadcasting System, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, rewritten, or redistributed.