Manhunt Ongoing in Two States for Virginia Fugitive

March 29, 2008 | Virginia News

Man Wanted for Shooting Virginia State Trooper

WYTHEVILLE, Va. – Virginia and West Virginia authorities are still searching for a 32-year-old Wythe County man wanted for shooting a Virginia State Police trooper Friday (March 28, 2008) afternoon. Steven Dale Branscome of Barren Springs, Va., is described as 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 185 pounds. He has blue eyes and brown hair, and is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information related to Branscome or Friday’s shooting is encouraged to call the Virginia State Police at (276) 228-3131 or, if calling in Virginia, toll-free at 1-800-542-8716; or to call the West Virginia State Police at (304) 425-2101 or (304) 256-6700.

Friday’s incident began at approximately 3:39 p.m., when Virginia State Police Trooper Richard W. Hughes and Trooper Stephen M. Barton arrived at a Glen Lyn, Va., residence in Giles County near the West Virginia line. They went to the residence to serve two arrest warrants on a William Pennington. However, upon arrival the troopers saw a man sitting inside a black Ford Tempo that was parked outside the residence. As they drove up to the vehicle, the Ford Tempo sped off and a pursuit was initiated.

The vehicle pursuit continued up a dirt mountain-road where the suspect vehicle struck a rock and wrecked. The suspect, later identified as Branscome, fled on foot into the woods and across the West Virginia line. Trooper Hughes continued after Branscome on foot. Branscome sprang from behind a tree and fired multiple rounds at the trooper. Trooper Hughes was struck in the neck as he took cover from the gunfire. Branscome then fled on foot and has remained at-large ever since.

Through the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle Branscome was driving had been stolen from the Floyd County School Board. The vehicle had been spray-painted black and Branscome had put his license plate on the vehicle.

Shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2008, a dark-blue 1988 Ford F-150 pickup truck was reported stolen in Mercer County, W.Va. The vehicle has damage to its front and rear bumpers, and driver-side door. The pickup’s West Virginia license plate is 5CW327. Police have not linked Branscome to this vehicle, but are still asking for the public’s help in locating it.

For Friday’s shooting of Trooper Hughes, West Virginia State Police have secured warrants for Branscome’s arrest for malicious wounding and wanton endangerment. He was previously wanted on warrants in Wythe County for grand larceny and breaking-and-entering.

The search is continuing through the weekend for Branscome. Personnel from the Virginia and West Virginia state police; the Giles County and Montgomery County sheriff’s offices; the Pulaski, Doveland and Glen Lyn police departments; ATF and U.S. Marshal’s Service are involved in the ongoing search and investigation.

Trooper Hughes was treated at Giles Memorial Hospital and released Friday evening. He joined the Virginia State Police in 2003. In October 2007 he transferred from Pittsylvania County to Giles County, which is part of the Area 24 Office within the Wytheville Division.

William Pennington turned himself in to police late Friday and was arrested on felony charges of credit card fraud. Saturday he was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and is now being held without bond.