'Shelter in place' lifted, but search for Powhatan gunman continues into Friday

POWHATAN COUNTY, Va. -- While the search for armed suspect Chazz Lee Gordon continued Friday morning,the Powhatan Sheriff's Office lifted the "shelter in place" order it issued Thursday afternoon for people who live along or near the 4900 block of Cartersville Road.

"Powhatan residents in the area of 4900 Cartersville Road do not need to shelter in place but should remain aware their surroundings," a Sheriff's Office spokesperson said in a Friday morning update.

WTVR and Powhatan Sheriff's Office

Gordon, 36, ran from Powhatan County Sheriff's Deputies Thursday at about 2:40 p.m. when they attempted to pull him over. Gordon is wanted for malicious wounding, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and brandishing a firearm, according to the Powhatan Sheriff's Office wrote.

"Gordon failed to stop and after a vehicle pursuit which ended in the 4900 block of Cartersville Road. Gordon fled on foot into a wooded area with a pistol in his hand. Units from multiple jurisdictions are assisting Powhatan with an ongoing search of the area for Gordon," a Sheriff's Office spokesperson said.

A neighbor who saw the police chase remarked how it was an unusual sight.

"I heard sirens and I don't normally hear sirens so I looked out the window and saw them chasing the car and it went west here at the intersection," the neighbor said. "[The area where Gordon might be hiding] is about 2,300 acres of land over there. I know there's bears, bobcats, and coyotes and some smaller mammals but certainly there's bears, bobcats, and coyotes."

Gordon is also facing additional charges, including felony elude, hit and run, felon in possession of a firearm, and brandishing a firearm.

The Sheriff's Office asked community members to report any suspicious activity to 911 or call the Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office at 804-598-5656.

This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.

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