(Cumberland Co., Va.) – A Virginia State Trooper has died after he was shot while attempting to execute a search warrant at the home of a suspected drug dealer near Farmville Monday night. Trooper Lucas B. Dowell, 28, was a member of State Police tactical team that was assisting the Piedmont Regional Drug and Gang Task Force.
The SWAT team was attempting to serve a search warrant at a home in Cumberland County when a man inside the house opened fire. The Tactical Team entered the residence just before 10 p.m., when Corey Johnson began shooting. Police returned fire and Johnson was struck and killed.
Dowell was transported to Southside Community Hospital in Farmville where he died as a result of his injuries.
The Chilhowie, Va. native graduated the Virginia State Police’s 122nd Basic Session in November 2014. Since graduation he has been assigned to the Virginia State Police Appomattox Division; his latest assignment was on patrol in Lynchburg and Amherst and Campbell counties. He was a member of the Appomattox Division Tactical Team. Dowell is survived by his parents and a sister.
Johnson, 44, of Cumberland County, died at the scene. His remains were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond for examination and autopsy. Johnson was the only individual inside his house at the time of the shooting. The search warrant was being conducted as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
No other troopers were injured in the shooting. The two troopers who fired their weapons have been placed on administrative leave.