State Police searching for suspect wanted in Bluefield police officer shooting
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Wytheville Field Office is investigating the shooting of a Bluefield, Va. Police Officer shortly before midnight. The search also remains underway for the shooting suspect, Donquale M. Gray, 25, of Bluefield, W.Va.
The incident began at approximately 11:45 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 16) when a Bluefield, Va. Police Officer initiated a traffic stop on a 2008 Toyota Yaris for an equipment violation. The Toyota, which had been traveling east on Route 460, pulled off to the shoulder near Exit 3 (which is within the town limits of Bluefield, Va.).
Seated inside the Toyota was an adult male driver and Gray, the front-seat passenger. During the course of the traffic stop, Gray began shooting at and wounded the Bluefield, Va. Police Officer as he was standing outside the vehicle on the driver’s side.
The Bluefield, Va. Officer and a second Bluefield, Va. Officer, who had responded to assist with the traffic stop, returned fire. The Toyota’s driver got out of the vehicle and surrendered. Gray got into the driver’s seat and drove off.
The Toyota was found abandoned a few hours later in Bluefield, W.Va.
The wounded police officer is being treated for serious, but non-life threatening, injuries at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
The driver of the vehicle was cited for a traffic violation and released. He was not injured in the shooting. Nor was the other Bluefield, Va. Police Officer at the scene.
The search continues for Gray at this time and Virginia’s Blue Alert remains active. Anyone with information about Gray and/or his whereabouts is encouraged to call 911 or the Virginia State Police at 276-228-3131 or by email to questions@vsp.virginia.gov.