THE NEWS DESK
The News Desk is a collection of news, notes and breaking items affecting the Fredericksburg community.
Scissors-wielding man is shot by detective
Police say a Spotsylvania deputy stopped a robbery in progress at the Dollar General store along Bragg Road by shooting the suspect. / Reza A. Marvashti
BY LINDLEY ESTES
A Spotsylvania County detective interrupted a robbery at the Dollar General store in the Bragg Road extended Village Square shopping center Thursday afternoon and shot the suspect after a scuffle, police say.
Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Harvey said the detective was outside the discount store near Spotsylvania Towne Centre when the robbery occurred at 2:55 p.m.
Harvey said the detective saw a male grab the clerk, point something at her back and demand that she open the cash drawer.
The detective identified himself from outside of the store and the suspect left with what initially appeared to be a knife in his hand.
The detective ordered the man to drop the weapon at gunpoint.
When he did not, the officer and the suspect began to scuffle and he fired one shot from his service pistol, striking the suspect in the leg while trying to subdue him and avoid being stabbed by the weapon, which turned out to be scissors.
Lexy C. Dove
The suspect was identified as Lexy Clay Dove Sr., 48, of Orange County.
He was treated at Mary Washington Hospital and released into police custody.
The detective sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
Within a few minutes of the reported robbery attempt, other law enforcement officers from Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg arrived at the shopping center.
They recovered the weapon, and aided the detective in handcuffing the suspect, who was still struggling.
Bystanders saw the incident unfold.
Marco Mireles, 32, manager of Turner Pool and Spa in the shopping center, said, “I had gone into the store [Dollar General] to buy a drink 10 minutes earlier. I saw cops go around the back and went to see what was going on. They pointed their guns at me and said to stay back so I raised my hands and went back [to my store]. I saw the guy trying to run.”
Another witness, Cathy Drummond, 41, a martial arts summer camp coordinator, said, “I went to the back too and there were three or four [police officers]. I went to the corner and they had the guy who got shot.”
Dove was charged with attempted robbery, assault on the store clerk and assault on law enforcement by Spotsylvania police.
He is being held without bond.
Lindley Estes: 540/735-1976
