A drone and a wildlife camera played a crucial role in the capture of a man accused of shooting and killing a Virginia sheriff's deputy who was conducting a welfare check, authorities said.
Suspect Apprehended in North Carolina
The suspect, identified as Michael Timothy Puckett, 55, was found Sunday night, two days after the shooting, as he was ringing the doorbell of a home in Surry County, North Carolina, just a few miles from the Virginia state line. He was arrested and booked without bond, according to a news release from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Multiple law enforcement agencies participated in the search.
Puckett appeared for an extradition hearing Monday, where he waived his right to a court-appointed lawyer and consented to transport to Virginia, as reported by WXII-TV.
Details of the Shooting
The Carroll County Sheriff's Office in Virginia stated that the fatal shooting occurred after law enforcement received a request from a family member to perform a welfare check on Friday. Upon arrival, a man at the home opened fire, and the two responding deputies returned fire. Both deputies were struck, and the suspect fled. Other individuals inside the home were unharmed, according to Sheriff Kevin Kemp.
Deputy Logan Utt, 31, was killed in the incident. The second deputy, who was hit in his ballistic vest, was recovering at home and reported to be in good condition as of Sunday.
Role of Technology in the Search
A massive search ensued, and the suspect was spotted on a wildlife game camera in Surry County, north of Mount Airy, on Sunday morning. Law enforcement then used a drone to track his movements, leading to his eventual capture.
Deputy Utt Remembered
Deputy Utt was a military veteran who joined the Carroll County Sheriff's Office in 2023. A funeral procession was scheduled Monday afternoon from Roanoke, Virginia, to Mount Airy, where Utt had previously served as a firefighter. Sheriff Kemp remembered him as having a servant's heart, caring deeply for others, his country, and his family.
