Spotsylvania Deputy Shoots Man In Prostitution Sting

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA — A Spotsylvania Sheriff's deputy shot a man Thursday night during a prostitution sting operation at a hotel in the 5400 block of Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1). The Street Crimes Unit of the sheriff's office set up a sting where a man contacted a woman working with the sheriff's office and requested sexual services, according to the department.

The man arrived at the hotel room around 9 p.m. and was followed into the room by sheriff's deputies. The deputies told the man to show his hands. The sheriff's office did not say whether the deputies were in uniform or plainclothes.

"During the arrest the male reached for a gun in his waistband," the sheriff's office said in a news release. "Deputies again gave verbal commands for the male to show his hands at which point he did not comply. The deputy discharged his firearm, striking the male in the upper torso."

The man, 37, of Spotsylvania County was taken to a local hospital where he underwent surgery and is listed in critical condition.

The deputy who shot the man, a 19-year veteran with Spotsylvania Sheriff's office, was placed on administrative leave under department policy. The sheriff's office said at this time it is not releasing the name of the man who was shot by the deputy or the name of the deputy, and is not identifying the hotel where the deputy shot the man.

The Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division, including the Office’s Critical Incident Response Team, is investigating the shooting. A separate internal affairs investigation is also being conducted.