VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A female suspect who police say stabbed a bank teller in the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach was shot following a confrontation with police on Friday.
Police say the stabbing took place around 1:17 p.m. at a Navy Federal Credit Union at 5269 Providence Road.
“The suspect entered the credit union, approached the victim teller and stabbed the victim teller, then fled the scene,” said Tonya Pierce with Virginia Beach Police.
Virginia Beach EMS responded and transported the teller to the hospital. Police say the teller’s injuries are minor.
The suspect, identified by police as 39-year-old Shontrina Fountain, fled in her vehicle and a “Be On the Lookout” alert was issued with the suspect and vehicle’s description.
An officer then spotted Fountain’s vehicle and attempted to stop it, but police say she refused. Police then used a “rolling roadblock” in the 4800 block of Baxter Road and were able to stop the vehicle.
Fountain then refused to obey officers’ commands, according to police, and an officer deployed a TASER.
When Fountain tried to lunge at an officer with the weapon, the officer fired and Fountain dropped to the ground.
A witness captured the shooting on video, in which officers can be heard yelling “drop the knife.”
Disclaimer: The video may be difficult for some to watch
Fountain suffered non life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment, according to police. Pierce couldn’t confirm that her injuries came from the officer’s gun.
Pierce said that officers attempted “other means” to take Fountain into custody, but they were ineffective.
Police obtained warrants for Fountain on one count of malicious wounding in connection to the incident at the credit union and one count of felony assault on a law enforcement officer. She’ll be turned over to the custody of the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office when she’s released from the hospital.
Police say this case is being investigated by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and VBPD’s homicide department, and there will be an internal investigation. The officer will be placed on administrative duty, per department policy.
“I was babysitting my nephew, I came outside I hear cars screeching and stuff, so I stood up on the bench that we have on the side of the house and I looked and see a bunch of cops getting out of their cars swarming her,” said witness Kenal Meyer.