4 suspects held in shooting of deputy
laceName>WashingtonlaceName> laceType>CountylaceType> charges four from Tazewell in case
Monday, Oct 22, 2007 - 12:08 AM Updated: 02:59 AM
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BLUEFIELD -- Authorities yesterday captured four suspects linked to the shooting of a Virginia sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop Friday.
Washington County sheriff's deputies arrested Wallace S. Kinder Jr., 34, of Cedar Bluff; Roxie Amanda Short, 24, of Bishop; and Scottie Lee Stinson, 27, of Bandy; and Tracy Stinson Coxton, 32, also of Bandy -- all in Tazewell County.
They face charges of attempted capital murder. They had been sought since the Friday shooting of Tazewell Deputy Eric Mullins.
Additional charges are pending.
Authorities captured the suspects about 8:30 a.m. in Washington County after a sheriff's deputy working radar enforcement on U.S. 19 saw a vehicle matching the description of a 1986 Ford F150 wanted in connection with the shooting, Virginia State Police Sgt. Mike Conroy said.
The officer tried to stop the vehicle, which turned off the road and into a driveway. The suspects surrendered without incident.
They have since cooperated with investigators, Conroy said.
He said one of the suspects expressed relief that the deputy was not injured seriously.
Authorities in three states spent the weekend on the lookout for the suspects.
About 6:40 a.m. Friday, Mullins stopped a white Mitsubishi on U.S. 460, Conroy said.
The car contained two men and a woman suspected of robbing two convenience stores in laceName>TazewelllaceName> laceType>CountylaceType>, Sheriff H.S. Caudill said.
Mullins called for backup; as Bluefield officers approached, police said, shots were fired from the car.
The Mitsubishi fled. Police found the car abandoned hours later about 2 miles away near laceName>BluefieldlaceName> laceType>CollegelaceType>, Conroy said.
Mullins, who was shot in the stomach, was wearing a bulletproof vest. He was treated for minor injuries at laceName>BluefieldlaceName> laceName>MedicallaceName> laceType>CenterlaceType> and released, Conroy said.
Officials placed laceName>BluefieldlaceName> laceType>CollegelaceType> and a high school and middle school in Bluefield and four middle and elementary schools in West Virginia on lockdown Friday.