Man Apparently Shoots Himself After Traffic Stop

A Rockbridge County man apparently shot himself following a traffic stop in the Timber Ridge area Sunday night.

According to a press release from the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office, about 10 p.m. on Sunday, a Rockbridge County deputy conducted a stop for a traffic violation in the Timber Ridge area. The deputy spoke with the driver of the vehicle briefly, obtained his information, and returned to his patrol vehicle to issue a traffic summons. Another deputy arrived on scene within a few minutes and approached the driver who was still sitting in his vehicle.

During their conversation, the driver refused to exit his vehicle and drove away.

The deputies pursued the vehicle a short distance before it wrecked. The deputies approached the vehicle and observed the driver slumped over. When the deputies re- moved the driver, they discovered what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, according to the press release.

Deputies immediately began lifesaving measures and summonsed emergency medical services. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver has been identified as Shane Tyson Lawhorn, a 43-year-old white male from Rockbridge County.

The Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office has requested the Virginia State Police to investigate the incident.