PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — A man is in custody and has been charged with attempted murder after firing multiple shots at a police vehicle in Portsmouth early Monday morning, police said.
Portsmouth Police have identified the suspect as Anthony David Vega, 39. He was arraigned in Portsmouth General District Court on Tuesday morning.
He’s accused of being seen at “2 a.m. in downtown shooting at video cameras and police car and nearby videos with two ammo cans in his truck, prepared to do much more than what happened,” according to court documents.
According to police, officers were called to the intersection of High Street and Dinwiddie Street, just a couple of blocks from the police station, at 2:03 a.m. for the report of shots fired. The suspect was described as a male wearing a grey hoodie.
While canvassing the area, an individual who matched the description of the suspect fired multiple shots, striking a police vehicle. One officer was in the vehicle when the shots were fired, but was not injured, police said.
At least 17 shell casing were recovered from the scene. Police said that, as far as they know, the suspect was firing off the shots by himself.
Officers attempted to chase the suspect, but lost sight of him. He was later found by nearby by officers on Washington Street, where officers then “challenged” the suspect, meaning that guns were drawn, but not fired.
Eventually, the suspect gave up and was arrested.
Officials say the suspect is also wanted for warrants out of a nearby city.
A nearby neighbor who wishes to remain anonymous spoke with 10 On Your Side’s Nick Broadway about the incident.
“I was laying in bed, and I’m still awake, and I kind of hopped out of bed and ducked for cover I guess, then I ran downstairs just to make sure there isn’t anyone in the street, or make sure that someone wasn’t trying to hide anywhere on my property,” he said. “It’s never a good feeling, but I definitely would say that immediately seeing the police was more reassuring knowing that they were clearly aware of it.”
Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen Jenkins said he is thankful no officers were hurt, but that the officer who was in the police vehicle at the time of the shooting is still processing what happened.
“I actually heard the gunshots myself and it’s actually what woke me up,” Jenkins said. “Again, not sure why the individual picked Portsmouth to come to and do this.”
He was formally charged with 12 counts including attempted aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer, shooting at an emergency vehicle, shooting at an occupied building, destruction of property and shooting a weapon across a street.
He was out on bond for prior charges. He’s now being held without bail.
10 On Your Side is working to learn more details about this incident.
If you have any information about this case, you can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3 tips app to a mobile device, or visiting www.P3tips.com and submitting a tip.