Sheriff: Deputies shot and killed man wielding machete
Oct 24, 2017
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Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman (right) and Maj. Byron Ashbrook (left) discuss the officer-involved shooting.
David Crigger | Washington County News
Washington County News
ABINGDON, Va. — A man wielding a machete was shot and killed late Sunday by Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies who were executing a drug-related search warrant at a rural home, Sheriff Fred Newman said Monday.
Roberto Avendano, who worked at a nearby dairy farm, was shot just before 10 p.m. outside a home in the 22000 block of Golden View Drive, Newman said during a news conference at the Sheriff’s Office.
“An individual ran towards an outbuilding on the property as the search warrant was being executed,” Newman said. “The suspect barricaded himself in a room inside the outbuilding, and attempts to negotiate with him were unsuccessful.”
A battering ram and pepper spray were used to lure the man out of the outbuilding, Newman said. Eventually, Avendano, armed with a 2-foot machete, came out the building and lunged at four deputies while swinging the weapon, the sheriff said. Deputies fired several shots at Avendano, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman discusses the officer-involved shooting.
David Crigger | Bristol Herald Courier
“He was ordered numerous times to drop the weapon, but he continued swinging it at our officers,” Newman said. “In my opinion, a machete is just as deadly in some cases as a handgun.”
Little was known Monday about Avendano, including his age and whether he had a criminal record, Newman said.
The sheriff said he felt comfortable that the shooting was justified based on the circumstances.
“It’s still unclear at this time which deputies shot at the suspect,” Newman said. “They have been placed on administrative leave and when they’re fit to return to duty, they certainly will.”
The Washington County Sheriff's Officed seized approximately an ounce of methamphetamine, an ounce of cocaine, a small amount of marijuana and approximately $2,300 in cash.
Contributed Photo
Newman said that Sunday night’s investigation is connected to a Sept. 28 drug bust that started out as a shoplifting call at the Walmart in the Exit 7 area of Bristol, Virginia. On Sept. 28, a search of a vehicle turned up large amounts of cocaine and crystal meth. More than $50,000 in cash was also found, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office. Brian J. Swontek, 49, of Glendale, Arizona, and his wife, Erin K. Swontek, 40, were charged with multiple drug and shoplifting charges.
A subsequent investigation led to search warrants at two additional locations, where meth was also discovered. Christopher Carroll Ingram, 45, of Old Airport Road, Bristol, Virginia, and Michael Joseph Hauser, 42, of Peoria, Arizona, also face multiple drug charges.
On Sunday night, an ounce of methamphetamine, an ounce of cocaine, a small amount of marijuana and $2,300 were seized from the Golden View Drive home.
Stephanie Mae Browning
Contributed Photo
Stephanie Mae Browning, 21, of Golden View Drive, was arrested and charged with possession of meth and marijuana. She is being held without bail at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon.
“We are not sure of the full relationship between Browning and Avendano,” Newman said. “At this time, we believe that the two were just acquaintances.”
Additional warrants are pending, according to Newman.
The shooting of Avendano is being investigated by the Virginia State Police Bureau of Investigation. VSP spokeswoman Corrine Geller said there was no information to release Monday.
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Oct 24, 2017
SALE! Subscribe for $1/mo.
Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman (right) and Maj. Byron Ashbrook (left) discuss the officer-involved shooting.
David Crigger | Washington County News
Washington County News
ABINGDON, Va. — A man wielding a machete was shot and killed late Sunday by Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies who were executing a drug-related search warrant at a rural home, Sheriff Fred Newman said Monday.
Roberto Avendano, who worked at a nearby dairy farm, was shot just before 10 p.m. outside a home in the 22000 block of Golden View Drive, Newman said during a news conference at the Sheriff’s Office.
“An individual ran towards an outbuilding on the property as the search warrant was being executed,” Newman said. “The suspect barricaded himself in a room inside the outbuilding, and attempts to negotiate with him were unsuccessful.”
A battering ram and pepper spray were used to lure the man out of the outbuilding, Newman said. Eventually, Avendano, armed with a 2-foot machete, came out the building and lunged at four deputies while swinging the weapon, the sheriff said. Deputies fired several shots at Avendano, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman discusses the officer-involved shooting.
David Crigger | Bristol Herald Courier
“He was ordered numerous times to drop the weapon, but he continued swinging it at our officers,” Newman said. “In my opinion, a machete is just as deadly in some cases as a handgun.”
Little was known Monday about Avendano, including his age and whether he had a criminal record, Newman said.
The sheriff said he felt comfortable that the shooting was justified based on the circumstances.
“It’s still unclear at this time which deputies shot at the suspect,” Newman said. “They have been placed on administrative leave and when they’re fit to return to duty, they certainly will.”
The Washington County Sheriff's Officed seized approximately an ounce of methamphetamine, an ounce of cocaine, a small amount of marijuana and approximately $2,300 in cash.
Contributed Photo
Newman said that Sunday night’s investigation is connected to a Sept. 28 drug bust that started out as a shoplifting call at the Walmart in the Exit 7 area of Bristol, Virginia. On Sept. 28, a search of a vehicle turned up large amounts of cocaine and crystal meth. More than $50,000 in cash was also found, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office. Brian J. Swontek, 49, of Glendale, Arizona, and his wife, Erin K. Swontek, 40, were charged with multiple drug and shoplifting charges.
A subsequent investigation led to search warrants at two additional locations, where meth was also discovered. Christopher Carroll Ingram, 45, of Old Airport Road, Bristol, Virginia, and Michael Joseph Hauser, 42, of Peoria, Arizona, also face multiple drug charges.
On Sunday night, an ounce of methamphetamine, an ounce of cocaine, a small amount of marijuana and $2,300 were seized from the Golden View Drive home.
Stephanie Mae Browning
Contributed Photo
Stephanie Mae Browning, 21, of Golden View Drive, was arrested and charged with possession of meth and marijuana. She is being held without bail at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon.
“We are not sure of the full relationship between Browning and Avendano,” Newman said. “At this time, we believe that the two were just acquaintances.”
Additional warrants are pending, according to Newman.
The shooting of Avendano is being investigated by the Virginia State Police Bureau of Investigation. VSP spokeswoman Corrine Geller said there was no information to release Monday.
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