In the rural community of Vansant, Virginia, a tragic series of events unfolded on Sunday, March 13, 2011, culminating in the death of 41-year-old Buchanan County Sheriff's Deputy Cameron Neil Justus. A male, Justus was a 10-year veteran of the sheriff's office and a U.S. Army veteran. The incident began when two other deputies responded to a report of a larceny in progress at a car service business. Upon their arrival, they were met with gunfire from a hidden sniper and were wounded.
Deputy Justus, along with his colleague Deputy William Stiltner, responded to the urgent call for backup. As they were working to establish a perimeter and assist the wounded officers, both Justus and Stiltner were fatally shot by a high-powered rifle. The shooter had positioned himself on a nearby ridge, effectively turning the scene into a deadly ambush for the responding law enforcement officers.
The suspect was later identified as 52-year-old Randy Gilbert Newberry of Vansant. After the shootings, Newberry fled into the woods. He was later located standing in front of a nearby house while talking on a mobile phone. When confronted by officers, Newberry refused commands to get on the ground and then drew a handgun. In the ensuing confrontation, law enforcement officers shot and killed Newberry.
