Gate City man charged with attempted murder of father, law enforcement officer

GATE CITY, Va. (WJHL) — A Gate City man is facing several charges after police say he shot his father over the weekend.

Gate City police and Scott County deputies responded to a shooting around 5 p.m. Saturday in the 400 block of Reed Hollow Road.

Police arrived and found the suspect’s father with a gunshot wound on the left side of his face, according to the Gate City Police Department .

The police department said the suspect, identified as Travis Ethan Darnell, 25, of Gate City, was sitting in a chair in the kitchen when police arrived but fled toward the living room when officers identified themselves. Officers chased after Darnell and he allegedly brandished a rifle that he had used to shoot his father.

Police ordered Darnell to drop the gun and took him into custody.

According to the police department, Darnell had also threatened his mother with the rifle as well.

Police charged Darnell with attempted murder, attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated malicious wounding, and other charges.

Darnell is being held without bond at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail at Duffield.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.