Man wanted for shooting Virginia deputies, killing one, arrested

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (NBC, KYMA) - A man wanted for shooting and killing two Carroll County, Virginia sheriff's deputies is now in custody after being arrested in North Carolina.

Michael Puckett, who was found across the border in Mount Airy, is suspected of killing a sheriff's deputy in Virginia and injuring another during a welfare check Friday night.

Authorities said the 55-year-old opened fire on the two deputies when they made contact with him.

Puckett fled the scene after the shooting and multiple departments were alerted to assist in the manhunt.

He was spotted on a wildlife game camera in the woods Sunday morning not far from Mount Airy, close to the Virginia border.

Puckett was later found and arrested in Surry County by local law enforcement.

The deputy who was killed has been identified as 31-year-old deputy Logan Utt while the other deputy is reported at home and recovering following the incident.

Carroll County Sheriff Kevin Kemp talked Sunday night about the case, and the deputy who was killed.

"We just sent two deputies to respond to that location. They were some concerns over the fact that could be a man there that was a convicted felon, maybe a firearm in the house, but was concerned over the welfare of their family member. and when they went into there to check on all those things being very vague and information, my deputy come in contact with Mr. Puckett and then when he began to engage more in conversation, then it escalated into my deputy being shot and my other deputy being shot.

I want them to know that we did not rest for 48 hours. My deputies have went on very little to no sleep since Friday night. this entire agency has ran nonstop, focused on apprehending the man that took the life of one of their own. A hero that served his community. And we were focused that we would not rest or sleep and we would stay going until he was caught.

I want them to know that Deputy Utt was a phenomenal man and human being first and foremost. He was a servant. He had a servant's heart. He cared for others. He cared for his country. He cared for his family. He cared for this agency. He cared for his community. He loved his church. He loved his God. He was a wonderful man that evil took away from us."

Sheriff Kevin Kemp, Carroll County Sheriff's Office