Police officer acted properly
in shooting incident last week
 |
| Lexington Police Sgt. Mark Riley followed proper procedures in last week's shooting, investigators found. |
Lexington Police Investigator Mark Riley followed all policies and procedures when he fired his weapon at an armed suspect last month, the city’s Firearms Discharge Review Board has concluded.
According to a police news release, shortly after 5 p.m. on Feb. 25 police responded to a call at 306 McLaughlin St. When they arrived, Leroy Hobson of 1566 Ballsville Road, Powhatan, jumped out of the apartment window with a loaded .22-caliber rifle.
Hobson ran from the police, fell and dropped the gun, according to the news release. He stood, retrieved the gun and turned toward Riley, who commanded him to stop and drop his weapon. Hobson refused, and Riley fired twice.
According to the news release, Hobson fell down an embankment into Woods Creek. It was unclear at first if he had been shot by the officer. He was taken to Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital, where he was treated for a head injury. It was determined there that he had not been shot.
Police called Hobson is a self-proclaimed gang member. He is registered as a violent sex offender in Virginia and was recently released from prison after serving a sentence for forcible sodomy.
Hobson, 24, is charged with possession of a loaded weapon, brandishing a firearm, felony assault on a police officer, possession of a firearm after being convicted of a violent crime, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and attempted capital murder.
He is being held without bond at the Rockbridge Regional Jail. A preliminary hearing has been set for March 18.
Although Hobson was not hit by the two shots, the Lexington Police Department reviews any incidents that result in the discharge of a departmental weapon.
Executive Secretary Roger G. Clark of the Lexington Police said that the full investigative report will be released Friday.
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