This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
fact-checked
trusted source
proofread
Police: Officer, 2 others killed in gas station shooting
COVINGTON, Va. — Three people, including a police officer, were fatally shot at a western Virginia gas station and convenience store Monday afternoon, police said.
Toney Poulston Jr., 42, of Covington, went to the store and confronted and ultimately shot a 64-year-old relative working there, Randall Paxton, Virginia State Police said in a news release.
When Covington Police officers and Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived, Poulston was coming out of the store armed with a pistol and shots were fired, police said. Poulston and a Covington officer were killed.
Covington Police Chief Christopher Smith identified the officer as 35-year-old Caleb Ogilvie, who had joined the police department less than a year ago.
Smith said that before Ogilvie completed his police training in August 2021, he served as an active-duty Marine from 2006 to 2010 and in the reserves from 2011 to 2016. He also worked as an emergency medical technician in Roanoke.
“His engaging personality, dedication to serving others and a great sense of humor quickly endeared him with the Covington police department and our community,” Smith said.
“This loss while responding to the call is the first for the Covington Police Department, and something quite frankly I did not think that I would ever have to deal with as the chief of the police,” Smith said, reading from a statement outside the police station.
Afterward, Smith and Ogilvie’s widow placed flowers on the officer’s police cruiser.
Paxton was found dead inside the store. Paxton’s wife, who also worked at the store, was found inside unhurt, police said. No other employees or customers were injured.
The remains of all three people killed will be taken to the office of medical examiner in Roanoke for autopsies.
Virginia State Police are investigating at the request of local authorities.
Smith thanked residents of Covington and Alleghany County for their outpouring of support over Ogilvie’s death. A fund to support Ogilvie’s family has been set up through “Fund the First,” Smith said.
Gov. Glen Youngkin said in a tweet that the loss of Ogilvie “serves as a reminder that law enforcement officers risk their lives every day.”
