NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A Norfolk police officer and a suspect were both shot multiple times after the suspect opened fire on police on Saturday afternoon, authorities say.
Norfolk Police Chief Mark Talbot says the officer is in “good” condition after being struck multiple times and is expected to recover. Meanwhile the suspect, 29-year-old Norfolk resident Samuel M. Burton, was also shot multiple times and was still in the hospital as of Sunday afternoon. He was listed in critical condition.
Talbot said this happened after police originally got the call around 3:22 p.m. to help child protective services with a case in the 3800 block of Arcadia Street in the Ingleside neighborhood. When officers arrived, Talbot said a woman, later identified as 23-year-old Cassandra J. Smith, became combative outside.
While police were engaged with Smith, Talbot said Burton came out of the home and began to open fire, striking the one officer multiple times.
Police then returned fire and struck Burton multiple times.
Burton has been charged with attempted aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, malicious wounding of a law enforcement officer, and use of a firearm, and will be taken to the Norfolk City Jail without bond once released from the hospital.
Smith is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault on a law enforcement Officer, disorderly conduct, and obstruction of justice. She’s being held at Norfolk City Jail without bond.
“Today’s shooting is yet another reminder of the dangers that exist in the work that Norfolk Police Officers do each day to keep the city and its residents safe. This afternoon Officers were called upon to resolve a volatile situation that escalated quickly despite significant steps taken by officers to de-escalate,” Talbot said in a statement. “This incident was tragic. But we can all be thankful that it wasn’t much worse. The officers did exactly what they were trained to do, which was nothing short of heroic. They put themselves in harm’s way so that others would not have to. We are grateful that our Officer who was shot several times will survive his injuries, and we all owe a debt of gratitude for the bravery and professionalism that was shown by all of the officers who were involved.”
Talbot also said the child involved in the CPS case is safe, and there’s no danger to the community related to the case. Virginia State Police have been called to the scene to investigate, and all officers involved in the shooting are on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
This is one of a handful of incidents in which suspects have shot at Norfolk police so far this year. A man was shot and killed after a chase and exchange of gunfire with officers back in March, and another man was shot multiple times after police said he fired at officers on Bagnall Road back in May.
“People have to stop shooting at police,” said Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “I hate to be that blunt about it. It’s that simple. Each of these incidents is it’s own thing with it’s own facts. They all depend on what happens on a given day. But the common denominator is people are shooting at the cops, and they need to stop.”
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