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A man described as “armed and extremely dangerous,” sought in relation to the fatal shooting of a Virginia deputy, was apprehended in North Carolina on Sunday, officials reported.
The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Michael Puckett was detained in Surry County after an exhaustive search effort. Earlier that day, authorities noted Puckett was caught on a wildlife camera at 6:56 a.m. along Greenhill Road, just north of Mount Airy. The department released a chilling image showing Puckett in a baseball cap and wearing some type of disguise.
According to allegations, Puckett ambushed two deputies during a welfare check on Friday night, resulting in the death of a military veteran and injuring another officer. Carroll County Sheriff Kevin Kemp identified the slain deputy as 31-year-old Logan Utt.
Prior to Puckett’s apprehension, the FBI had offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his location and arrest.
The U.S. Marshals Service also contributed a $10,000 reward, totaling the incentive to $60,000. It remains unclear whether these rewards played a role in his capture.
Puckett is facing an aggravated murder charge in Virginia, according to police. The FBI’s Richmond Field Office assisted the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, US Marshals Service, Virginia State Police and numerous local and state agencies in the manhunt for Puckett.
The deadly encounter unfolded just before 9:30 p.m. local time, when the two Carroll County deputies were dispatched to a home after a family member requested a welfare check.
When the deputies met with Puckett, he allegedly opened fire, killing Utt and wounding the second officer — whose life was saved by his ballistic vest, according to authorities.
The deputies returned fire, but Puckett fled the scene and remains at large.
Utt joined the force in 2023 after serving the nation as a military veteran.
“Becoming a deputy sheriff was a lifelong dream, and he worked every day to make Carroll County a safer place,” Kemp wrote in a statement Saturday. “Today, Carroll County has lost a hero, and a family has suffered an unimaginable loss.”
Utt leaves behind a wife and children. The wounded deputy is recovering in stable condition.
“Deputy Logan Utt’s sacrifice is a testament to his bravery and dedication to his community,” Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger wrote in a statement on X. “Adam and I are praying for Deputy Utt’s family, the injured officer during his recovery, and for the safety of all of our courageous men and women in law enforcement.”