Three Danville Police Officers have been placed on administrative leave following an officer involved shooting on Wednesday. The shooting took place in the 500 block of Apollo Avenue in the parking lot of Westwood Middle School.
Pursuant to department policy, the names of the officers directly involved in uses of force resulting in death or serious injury are released within three days.
The officers involved in the shooting all serve in the Northwest Quarter of the Patrol Division, and are 21 year veteran Sergeant Clarence Goins, five year veteran Officer Seth Parker, and two year veteran Officer Nicholas Smithers.
All three officers are on administrative leave pending an investigation from the Virginia State Police.
At 4 pm Wednesday, officers spent 25 minutes attempting to negotiate with a male subject, who claimed he was armed and suicidal.
During de-escalation attempts, the male drew a handgun from his waistband and officers gave him commands to drop it. The male fired the gun in a direction away from officers before turning and pointing it at them. Officers then discharged their weapons, striking the male.
The male involved in the incident is Nicholas Beddoo, 24, of Danville. Beddoo was transported to another medical facility to receive further treatment. He is in stable condition.