2 Loudoun County sheriff’s deputies shot in Sterling during domestic call
STERLING, Va. (ABC7) — Two Loudoun County sheriff’s deputies were shot on Christmas Eve Sunday after responding to a domestic incident outside of a residence.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office says the shooting happened around 5 p.m. in the 46000 block of Hollow Mountain Place in Sterling after they received a call about an argument involving a father and his 19-year-old daughter that had turned into a physical altercation.
According to the sheriff’s office, when two deputies tried to arrest the father, 39-year-old Douglas V. Johnson, he made a sudden move into a bedroom closet where he grabbed a handgun and managed to fire several shots at them as they attempted to subdue him. One deputy tasered Johnson and another attempted to restrain him.
A third deputy, also present in the house, helped handcuff and secure Johnson to bring him into custody.
The sheriff’s office said that deputies had been on the scene for about an hour talking with Johnson to de-escalate the situation before the shots were fired. Leading up to the shooting, Johnson went upstairs in the home and the deputies followed as they believed he might have weapons.
Sheriff Mike Chapman said a female deputy was shot in the leg and a male deputy was shot in the arm and both legs. Both deputies, neither of whom have been identified, are in stable condition after being transported to Reston Hospital Center with serious but not life-threatening injuries, the sheriff said.
According to the sheriff’s office, Johnson was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted capital murder. He is being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.
It was not clear what caused the reported dispute between Johnson and his daughter.
ABC7's Ryan Hughes reported live from the scene of the shooting.
This story has been updated.
