HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — A deputy with the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office is in critical condition and a suspect is dead following a shooting in Hampton Wednesday.
Hampton Police say the call for the incident came in around 11:20 a.m. Wednesday.
Photos captured by 10 On Your Side’s Kiahnna Patterson at the scene show multiple police vehicles responding.
Police tape could be seen placed along the intersection of Big Bethel Road and Todds Lane with traffic appearing to be at a complete stop.
Witnesses say they heard the gunshots and that they are shaken up by the incident.
“We heard a pow pow pow and then we were kinda like mmm that kinda sounds like gunshots and then we heard a couple more pow pow pow we were like that’s not good,” Christina Lazarcheck from the VCA Todds Lane Animal Hospital said. “We’re all just a little shaken up because it’s something that you just don’t see every day… I’ve been here 21 years and I’ve never encountered anything like this.”
Officers were patrolling the intersection which is expected to be closed for “quite some time” according to police.
During a press conference following the shooting, Hampton Police Chief Mark Talbot stated the shooting incident began as U.S. Marshals Task Force officers were following a vehicle they believed contained a suspect wanted for a homicide. The task force officers were attempting to serve a warrant for the suspect.
According to an update from Hampton police, the suspect has been identified as 46-year-old Lamont Lee Lewis.
Lewis had active warrants on file for one count of 2nd-degree murder, one count of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a felon, and discharging a firearm in a dwelling.
Lewis is charged with the murder of his wife, Tivona Foggs, who was found dead on Christmas day in the first block of Twin Lakes Circle.
Fogg’s cousin, Robert, learned about the shooting this afternoon.
“I came out here today hoping cousin’s suspect that took my cousin’s life tragically on Christmas Day. As I want to say, I wanted justice, as well as our families, wanted justice, but not in this way but we are happy the police didn’t sleep until they caught this suspect,” he said. “It’s just a relief. My family has suffered from anxiety to loss of sleep. Tivona meant a lot to us. ” lot of tears have been shed.”
Watch the full press conference below.
The U.S. Marshals Task Force consists of officers from the Hampton Police Division, U.S. Marshals Service, Virginia State Police, Newport News Police, Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office, and Norfolk Police.
Police say that Lewis stopped his vehicle at the intersection of Big Bethel Rd and Todds Lane. Chief Talbot stated that Lewis immediately exited the vehicle and began firing at the task force officers who returned fire.
During the gunfire, Lewis and a task force officer were both struck multiple times. Both were rushed to a local hospital. Lewis was pronounced dead at the hospital.
In an update Wednesday evening from the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office, The officer, identified as 55-year-old Scott Chambers, is recovering from the shooting but is still listed in critical condition. Deputies say Chambers was hit twice by gunfire during the shooting and has undergone initial surgery.
Chesapeake Sheriff Jim O’Sullivan stated during the press conference that Chambers has been with the sheriff’s office for four years and was assigned to the task force a year ago.
Chambers is a former U.S. Army Ranger and served as a police officer for 17 years before joining the sheriff’s office.
While at the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office, he has received an Award of Excellence and multiple awards of commendation. Chambers is also a Virginia DCJS-certified General Instructor, a firearm instructor, and is also a certified paramedic.
Sheriff O’Sullivan referred to Chambers as “an amazing individual” and urged community members to keep him in their prayers.
Sheriff O’Sullivan also released a statement about Chambers in an updated press release:
Scott Chambers is a true hero. I went through the police academy with Scott almost 30 years ago. He’s a lifelong law enforcement officer and one of my best friends. I’m so incredibly proud of him and the job he does every day. I ask for your thoughts and prayers as he recovers.
Chesapeake Sheriff Jim O’Sullivan
There is currently no danger to the public.
Police Departments and Sheriff’s Offices in Hampton Roads have tweeted statements following the shooting:
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.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.