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Man found shot to death after fleeing traffic stop in Rockbridge County

Authorities said the incident happened on Jan. 5 in the Timber Ridge area

WSLS (WSLS)

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. – A man was found shot to death after fleeing from deputies during a traffic stop in Rockbridge County, according to Virginia State Police.

On Sunday, Jan. 5, at about 10:30 p.m., a Rockbridge County deputy sheriff conducted a traffic stop in the Timber Ridge area. The deputy spoke with the driver, obtained his information, and returned to his patrol vehicle to issue a traffic summons. However, when another deputy approached, the driver refused to exit his vehicle and fled.

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This led to a brief pursuit that ended in a crash. Deputies then discovered the driver, identified as 43-year-old Shane Tyson Lawhorn, slumped over with a gunshot wound to the chest.

Authorities said they began life-saving measures and alerted emergency medical services, but Lawhorn was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office has requested the Virginia State Police to investigate the incident.