An “armed and extremely dangerous” man, wanted for the shooting death of a Virginia lawmaker, has been arrested in North Carolina, according to authorities on Sunday.
The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office reported that Michael Puckett was caught in Surry County after a lengthy manhunt. Early Sunday morning, he was spotted on a wildlife camera around 6:56 a.m. on Greenhill Road, just north of Mount Airy. A rather unsettling image of Puckett, wearing a baseball cap and some sort of cover, was shared by the station.
Puckett allegedly ambushed two deputies while they were checking on a welfare request Friday night, leading to the death of one officer and injuring another. Deputy Logan Att, 31, from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, was the officer killed in the attack.
Before Puckett’s capture, the FBI had offered a reward of up to $50,000 for any information that could lead to his apprehension. The U.S. Marshals Service added another $10,000, making the total reward $60,000. It’s still unclear if this financial incentive played a role in his arrest.
Puckett faces charges of aggravated murder in Virginia, as per police reports. The FBI’s Richmond Field Office was involved in the search along with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals, Virginia State Police, and multiple local and state agencies.
The tragic incident occurred just before 9:30 p.m. local time, when the two deputies were called to the residence after family members requested a welfare check.
Authorities noted that upon meeting Puckett, he opened fire, killing Utt and injuring the other deputy, whose life was saved thanks to his bulletproof vest.
The deputies returned fire, but Puckett managed to flee the scene and was on the run until his arrest.
Utt had joined the military in 2023 after previously serving as a veteran.
“Being a sheriff’s deputy was a lifelong dream, and I worked every day to make Carroll County a safer place,” Sheriff Kevin Kemp remarked on Saturday. “Today, Carroll County lost a hero, and his family has faced an unimaginable loss.”
Utt leaves behind a wife and children, and the injured deputy is currently in stable condition.
“Deputy Logan Att’s sacrifice exemplifies his bravery and commitment to our community,” Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger stated in a letter. “Adam and I are praying for the safety of Deputy Att’s family, the recovering officer, and all our courageous law enforcement personnel.”
