NN Police Shoot, Kill Suspect in Abduction of York Woman

By Sam Thrift Monday, November 07, 2011

An abduction of a York County woman Sunday night led to standoff in a Newport News cul-de-sac and ended with the suspect being shot to death by a member of the Newport News Police Department’s Tactical Operations Unit.

The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Robert Christopher Burchfield of Hampton, abducted and sexually assaulted a 34-year-old York County woman last night, according to a press release from the Newport News Police Department.  The victim, who was injured during the standoff, was taken to a local hospital where she was treated and released.

The incident began at 7:39 p.m. when the suspect approached the late model green Chevrolet Camaro the victim and a man were sitting in outside the Belmont Apartments on St. Clair Circle, according to Lt. Dennis Ivey of the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office. The suspect removed the man from the car at gunpoint and drove away with the victim.

York County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Travis Smith located the vehicle around 7:50 p.m. behind Chestnut Memorial United Methodist Church in the 1000 block of Harpersville Road in Newport News and requested the Newport News Police Department's assistance, according to Ivey.

As the Newport News officers were responding to assist the York County units, the car sped away and the deputies attempted to stop the vehicle. When the suspect turned from Saunders Road onto Spring Trace Lane, the deputies and police stopped the vehicle, according to the press release.

The suspect and the victim, who remained in the car, did not respond to police commands, the press release said. The Newport News Police Department’s Tactical Operations Unit was called to the scene to assist the police. During the standoff, a member of the team fired his weapon and killed the suspect.

The Newport News police said the victim’s identity cannot be released because she reported that Burchfield sexually assaulted her just before Sgt. Smith located the car. The suspect and the victim did know each other, according to the press release.

According to the police, two investigations are now underway. A criminal investigation is being conducted by the Newport News Police Department’s Homicide Unit and will be sent to the Commonwealth’s Attorney, who will determine if the shooting was justified.

An administrative investigation will be conducted by the department’s Professional Standards Office to determine if policies and procedures were followed. They will also determine if any changes in policy or training are warranted. The officer who fired his weapon and one witness officer have been placed on administrative leave with pay.