In the latest Virginia news involving Flock camera controversy, a New York man is in custody accused of torching a license plate reader in Page County and then shooting at deputies.

E911 received a call around 10:15 p.m. on Sunday, August 16 about a Flock camera on fire near the Page Co-Op in Luray, according to a release from the Page County Sheriff’s Office. Along with Luray PD, deputies responded to find it alight before an additional call at 10:27 p.m. of another Flock camera on fire near Route 340 & Mechanic Street in Luray, a second report verified by authorities. Searching the area, they found a third Flock camera nearby had also been vandalized.

A deputy stationery near Route 211 and Dry Run Road observed a subject allegedly vandalizing the Flock camera near that intersection and attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver failed to stop, according to the release, until he did outside of Luray on Lyn-Mar Road.

A white male exited the driver’s side and opened fire with a rifle on the deputy who was pursuing, discharging multiple rounds into the deputy’s patrol car, according to the relese. The deputy was able to take cover and return fire, striking the suspect vehicle multiple times. The suspect re-entered his vehicle and fled the scene. The deputy was not injured, police said.

Additional units continued to pursue the suspect vehicle as the suspect allegedly continued to fire shots and deputies lost sight of him. Around 11:03 p.m., the suspect dialed 911 and spoke with the communications officer on duty and advised that he wanted to surrender peacefully, on Batman Hill Road.

Warren County tactical team assisted with an armored vehicle, approached the suspect and took him into custody without further incident.

The suspect is identified as Alexander Michael Morgan, 31, of Lodi, New York. Morgan has been charged with attempted aggravated murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and damage to public services, utilities or critical infrastructure. He was held without bond.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Luray Police Department, Stanley Police Department, Shenandoah Police Department, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia State Police, Division II Bureau of Criminal Investigations, and the Page County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

Anyone witnessing the destruction of the Flock cameras or witnessing shots fired during the pursuit is encouraged to contact Sergeant Corey Seal, Page County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, at (540)743-7810. Subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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