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The search for Steven Dale Branscome is currently concentrated in the area behind Indian Valley Elementary and Indian Creek Road. Branscome's was seen at 10:17 a.m. by a Floyd County investigator in the Merrifield Road area.
According to Sgt. Bob Carpentieri of the Virginia State Police, Branscome was spotted operating the 1988 Ford pick-up truck in which he stole yesterday in Mercer County, WVA. by a Floyd County investigator. When the officer turned on the vehicle and contacted a state trooper, who was in the area. Branscome turned into a driveway off Indian Creek Road and ran into a wooded area near the Indian Valley Elem. School. Branscome was wearing a dark colored T-shirt, blue jeans, and some type of ball cap. His hair was also closely cropped. State Police Lt. Rob Fridley said in an interview this afternoon that 13 intersections in the area are being manned and vehicles are being searched entering and leaving these points. Around 1 p.m. on Saturday, a dark-blue 1988 Ford F-150 pickup truck was reported stolen in Mercer County, W.Va. The vehicle had 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. “We have vehicles stolen everyday,” said Sgt. Mike Honaker of the Virginia State Police. “We don’t know if Branscome may be involved, so we don’t want to move our search efforts to another area and he not be involved.” Honaker went on to say that they would maintain their presence in the area that Branscome was last seen, until they have information that he may be elsewhere. 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. According to Sgt. Honaker, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office was investigating a break-in the Barren Springs area, in which Branscome is from, where several firearms were stolen. The Virginia State Police released more details of Friday’s incident Saturday afternoon. The 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 William Freeman 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 own license plate on the vehicle. West Virginia State Police have secured warrants attempted capital murder of a police officer, according to Sgt. Honaker. Trooper Hughes was transported to Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital where he was treated and later released. “Trooper Hughes is doing fine,” said Sgt. Honaker. “He wants to come back to work now, but we’re going to give him a couple more days off.” Hughes joined the Virginia State Police in 2003. In October 2007 he transferred from Pittsylvania County to Giles County. William Pennington turned himself in to police late Friday and was arrested on felony charges of credit card fraud. On Saturday, he was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and is now being held without bond. 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. EverythingNRV.com will continue to follow this story and will post any new information as it becomes available to us. Photos by David Grimes
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