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BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) — Police in Virginia and Tennessee are seeking a man who allegedly fired a gun at officers while fleeing during a high-speed pursuit Tuesday morning.
According to the Bristol Virginia Police Department (BVPD), officers were told at 4:13 a.m. that Elihu Joseph Martin was seen in the city.
“Mr. Martin is currently wanted by the Virginia State Police and the Washington County Virginia Sheriff’s Office for attempted manslaughter and other felony charges,” a news release from the BVPD states. “Mr. Martin was reportedly driving a stolen blue Ford F-150 truck.”
The BVPD reports that Martin was found driving the stolen truck on I-81 North near Exit 7.
A BVPD officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop as they entered Washington County; however, Martin allegedly refused to stop.
Martin led two officers on what the BVPD described as a “high-speed pursuit through Washington County, Virginia and then into Sullivan County, Tennessee.”
Martin allegedly fired three gunshots from the truck at officers while on Highway 421 near Friendship Rd. He fired another three shots at officers near Jacob Creek Recreation area, the release states.
The BVPD reports officers were not struck by gunshots either time.
Martin managed to elude officers in the area of Denton Valley Rd in Sullivan County. The U.S. Marshals Service and local law enforcement are still searching for Martin as of 11:45 a.m. Tuesday.
The BVPD reports Martin resides in Shady Valley, Tennessee. Martin should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees him or knows of his location is asked to call the police.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol located the Ford F-150 on Government Road in Johnson County around 11 a.m. However, Martin remains at large.
According to the BVPD, charges against Martin are pending for the pursuit. The BVPD and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office are working together to investigate the shootings.