Elderly Virginia man accused of attempting to murder a police officer

A Virginia man is accused of attempting to kill an officer after authorities arrived at his home to serve an emergency custody order.

On Feb. 15 just after 12 p.m., Wythe County Sheriff’s Office deputies went to the home of Jerry Blevins, 70, to serve the order, WFXR-TV reported.

As the deputies were on the property, the sheriff’s office said, two aggressive dogs went on the attack. While the deputies used pepper spray to try to subdue the dogs, they allegedly heard the sound of a gunshot from the direction of the house.

Blevins, authorities said, got in his vehicle and attempted to flee the scene but additional officers responding to the home blocked him from leaving.

An officer then contacted Blevins on his phone.

“During this conversation Blevins indicated to them he had a handgun,” the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office said, according to WFXR. “He also made comments that he had them in his sights.”

Virginia State Police arrived at the scene with an armored vehicle, but Blevins exited his vehicle and was taken into custody without further incident.

Officers were forced to shoot dead one of Blevins’ two dogs after their pepper spray ran out.

Blevins faces a charge of attempted murder of a police officer. He was booked into the New River Valley Regional Jail without bond.