BIG STONE GAP, Va. – The man who allegedly shot and killed a Big Stone Gap police officer last week faces multiple charges in the incident.
A special grand jury handed up a 13 count indictment Monday against a South Carolina man for his role in the shooting death of Officer Michael Chandler. Michael White, 33, of Cross, S.C., was served the indictment Monday afternoon at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail, where he was being held on a probation violation.
White is charged with aggravated murder, second-degree murder, possession of illegal drugs with intent to distribute, and with multiple weapons charges including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
White is being held without bond and is scheduled for arraignment on the probation violation served by the Wise County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, Nov. 23.
The incident began around 4 a.m. Saturday (Nov. 13) when a 911 call came in from a local resident requesting to meet with a Big Stone Gap police officer to discuss concerns about the welfare of a female acquaintance. Officer Chandler was on patrol at the time and met with the adult male on 8th Street. Following their conversation, Officer Chandler left to conduct the welfare check at a vacant residence in the 2500 block of Orr Street.
When Officer Chandler arrived at the Orr Street home, he encountered White in the driveway. It was during this encounter that White shot Officer Chandler.
A Wise County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was first to arrive on scene. Officer Chandler was found lying unconscious in a ditch along the driveway to the residence. His patrol car and another vehicle were both at the scene, but White had fled the scene on foot.
Chandler was initially transported to Norton Community Hospital. he was later flown to Johnson City Medical Center, where he died that night.
White was arrested without incident by the Kingsport, Tenn. Police Department’s Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations Division and SWAT Team shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday at the Travel Inn located in Kingsport, Tenn. He was arrested on probation violations out of South Carolina and Wise County, Va.
The U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, Wise County Sheriff’s Office and Bristol, Va. Police Department assisted with the apprehension in Kingsport.
Virginia State Police say the adult male who initially requested the welfare check is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.