A police officer in Virginia has some explaining to do. His rap sheet includes firing multiple gunshots at a woman while driving. Stolen cars were also involved during the conflict. He was trying to switch vehicles to avoid being caught. 

Off-Duty Virginia police officer steals car and shoots at woman 

Police officers provided emergency assistance to a woman who was shot inside her car in Henderson County, North Carolina. She was shot around 2:43 PM and should make a full recovery. 

However, she was shot by an off-duty police officer identified as 44-year-old Charles Stokes. He’s with the Kenbridge Police Department in Virginia. 

According to WSET, he stole a car and approached the woman to try to switch vehicles. After Stokes fired multiple rounds into her Toyota Camry, she managed to escape. She shared that she drove to another location to get away. Stokes also drove off after firing his gun. 

Authorities recovered the stolen car Stokes was driving at a business in Henderson. It was a vehicle from the department he had served for eight years. 

A 2007 Honda Civic with Virginia plates was also reported stolen from the same location. Along with witness testimony, evidence includes security footage from multiple locations. 

Stokes was arrested at his home the next day. He was taken into custody without incident. He faces charges for aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. 

Essentially, Stokes knew that police officers were searching for the stolen car he was driving. So he came to Henderson to try to change cars. 

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