Officer from James City County won’t face charges for Jan. 6 shooting

The police officer involved in a shooting incident in James City County, Virginia in January will not face any charges, as declared by the James City County Police. The determination comes after an investigation conducted by the Virginia State Police and the Williamsburg/James City County Commonwealth’s Attorney, which concluded that the officer had not committed a crime during the incident.

The incident happened on January 6, at around 6:55 p.m. in the Lake Powell Pointe subdivision. According to the initial reports, a James City County police officer had fired their gun after being confronted by a man wielding a shotgun. The incident did not result in any injuries.

Paul Baker, 83, the man allegedly involved in the confrontation, is due to face a court hearing on August 8. It is set to take place at 7:59 a.m. in Williamsburg/James City County General District Court. He is faced with several charges including a felony charge of assault on a law enforcement officer, as well as misdemeanor charges of pointing and brandishing a firearm and reckless handling of a firearm.

Following the incident, the police officer had been placed on a non-enforcement assignment but has now returned to normal duties following the investigation and its subsequent findings. The officer’s role during and after the incident underwent rigorous scrutiny through the thorough and impartial investigation.

James City County Police Chief, Mark Jamison, praised the bravery and professionalism shown by the officers involved in the incident. He highlighted that police work is inherently dangerous with officers risking their lives daily to protect the community. He expressed his gratitude to the Virginia State Police for the comprehensive investigation, the Commonwealth’s Attorney office for providing a fair and just assessment, and the general public for their patience during the review process.