Gate City man accused of shooting father & attempted murder of police

451 Reed Hollow Rd. and Travis DarnellPhoto byGoogle Earth / Public Records

A 25-year-old Gate City man is in jail facing a list of charges after an incident that includes allegedly shooting his father in the face.

According to Gate City Police Department, deputies were dispatched to 451 Reed Hollow Rd. for a report of a person shot in the head. Deputies reportedly found Bobby Ray Darnell with a gunshot wound to the left side of the face.

When police arrived, his son, Travis Ethan Darnell, was sitting in the kitchen area, according to GCPD. And when police announced themselves, he ran toward the living room. The officers followed, and T. Darnell "brandished" a rifle, the department added. He was ordered to drop the gun, and he was arrested.

GCPD said the rifle T. Darnell brandished was determined to be the weapon used to shoot his father, and it was determined that T. Darnell also used the gun to threaten his mother.

T. Darnell is charged with:

• Attempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer
• Aggravated Malicious wounding
• Maliciously discharge of firearm into an occupied dwelling
• Resisting Arrest
• Reckless handling of Firearm
• Interference with 911
• Assault on Family member
• Attempted Murder

He is currently being held in Duffield Regional Jail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 23.

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