Virginia Police Officer Recovering After Being Wounded in Shootout
NORFOLK, Virginia -- A Norfolk police officer who was wounded in a shootout with a suspect over the weekend has been released from the hospital and is currently recovering at home.
Officer Sean Blackwell, a 19-year veteran of the Norfolk Police Department, was shot multiple times after police were called to assist with a Child Protective Services call on Arcadia Street Saturday afternoon, according to WVEC-TV.
Norfolk police said that when officers came to the residence, they located 23-year-old Cassandra Smith, who became "combative" with the officers. While trying to de-escalate the situation, officials said 29-year-old Samuel Burton came out of the house and began opening fire. Police returned fire, hitting Burton several times. He remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
Smith is charged with two counts of conspiracy to assault law enforcement, obstructing justice, and disorderly conduct. Once Burton is released from the hospital, he will be taken to Norfolk City Jail to be booked on similar charges.
Paul Peluso | Editor
Paul Peluso is the Managing Editor of OFFICER Magazine and has been with the Officer Media Group since 2006. He began as an Associate Editor, writing and editing content for Officer.com. Previously, Paul worked as a reporter for several newspapers in the suburbs of Baltimore, MD.
