Man Charged with Strangulation Brought to Justice by K9 Officer

Keyshawn Purdie and K9 Officer, TitanPhoto byStafford County Sheriff's Office

STAFFORD, Va. – Thanks to quick-thinking deputies and one especially-determined K-9 officer, a man charged with strangulation is now behind bars 

According to a media release from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), the incident occurred August 26, 2024.

At approximately 12:21 a.m., SCSO deputies responded to the Garrison Woods apartment complex for reports of an assault. 

A male suspect had assaulted a female victim, prevented her from calling 911, and strangled her as she attempted to leave the residence. The suspect was identified as 25-year-old Keyshawn Purdie. 

As SCSO deputies arrived on scene, it was advised that Purdie had fled the residence, and in possession of a firearm. 

A deputy observed a man matching Purdie’s description in the area and made contact with him. Purdie nervously lied about his identity. When the officer asked additional questions, Purdie took off running. 

The deputy gave chase as Purdie traveled down Onville Road towards Evans Lane before running behind trailers on Hanson Lane. Officers lost sight of him behind the Kwik Stop, but at this point, several additional deputies were now on-scene and establishing a perimeter. 

At some point during the chase, Purdie had discarded his backpack and it was recovered by deputies. Within the backpack was a firearm that was reported stolen out of North Carolina. 

Due to the severity of the crimes, the suspect actively evading capture, and the possible active threat to both citizens and deputies, the decision was made to release the SCSO K-9 team.

SCSO Sergeant B.U. Demirci deployed his K-9 partner, Titan, in the area Purdie was last seen. 

Titan soon displayed strong tracking behaviors on Aquia Avenue, left onto Oak Road, and again onto Barrett Heights Road. There, a freshly partially broken fence at a residence was discovered.

Titan quickly went through the fence and Purdie loudly made his presence known as Titan apprehended him.

Purdie wearily climbed over the fence into the waiting arms of a SCSO sergeant and deputy and was detained without further incident.  

Purdie received treatment for his K-9 bite at a nearby hospital. He was then transported to jail.

Purdie was charged with assault and battery, strangulation, preventing communication to 911, providing a false identity, obstruction of justice, and receiving stolen goods. He is behind held without bond at Rappahannock Regional Jail. 

According to online court records, Purdie is due to appear in Stafford General District Court on October 17.

No information about the condition of Purdie’s victim has been released.