Deputy Shoots Man Armed With Sword In Spotsylvania: Police

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA — A Spotsylvania deputy shot a man multiple times on Monday evening, according to authorities. The Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office said the man charged at the deputy with a sword.

A helicopter flew the man to a trauma center, where he was listed in stable condition on Tuesday, police said. No other injuries were reported.

The sheriff's office identified the man as 27-year-old Nicholas Gene Howell.

Howell is charged with attempted malicious wounding of a law enforcement officer, authorities said.

Just before 6 p.m. on Monday, 911 operators in Spotsylvania County received a call from someone whose adult son was armed with a weapon and made death threats against a family member, the sheriff's office said in a report.

The first deputy on the scene said they run to the back of the home where family members were standing outside. As the deputy walked towards the back of the home, the man charged at them, the sheriff's office claimed.

In a report, the sheriff's office said the man, who was later identified as Howell, was armed with "a 33-inch Spartan Warrior style sword."

Authorities said the deputy tried to move, but chose to fire their gun multiple times as Howell closed in. The deputy provided first aid until emergency personnel arrived and a helicopter flew Howell to a trauma center, the sheriff's office reported.

Police said the deputy has been with the sheriff's office for six years, though authorities did not identify them by name. The deputy has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, in accordance with the department policy.