The incident began when two loss prevention officers at Walmart reportedly saw a man stealing items from the store and attempting to escort him to an office, according to a statement from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.
Two deputies responded to try to take the man into custody, the statement said. During a fight, the suspect pulled a gun from his waistband and reportedly began firing, hitting both loss prevention officers and one of the two deputies, according to the sheriff’s office.
The second deputy fired back and hit the suspect, authorities said.
“I don’t know what the injuries were, certainly not serious enough to keep him from running into a truck and jumping and driving off,” said Michael Chapman, Loudoun County Sheriff.
The truck was parked behind the store with the keys in it, according to the sheriff’s office.
A chase ensued, and Fairfax County police, following a lookout report for a stolen vehicle, arrested the suspect, the sheriff’s office said.
The man has been taken to hospital and, according to authorities, charges are pending.
All of the victims’ injuries are not life-threatening, but the sheriff’s deputy was shot and beaten several times, Chapman said.