Off-Duty Virginia Police Officer Charged After Shots Fired at Occupied Car
DANVILLE, VIRGINIA — September 22, 2026

\An off-duty Danville police officer has been arrested after authorities said multiple shots were fired at a vehicle carrying a man and a woman on a Virginia roadway.

Jayquan Morton, 22, a two-year officer with the Danville Police Department, faces several felony charges following the September 20 shooting, according to the Virginia State Police.

Car Targeted on South Main Street
Police received a report Sunday morning that a vehicle had been struck by gunfire while traveling southbound on South Main Street near the Route 29 Expressway.

Investigators said a silver SUV approached the sedan from behind and multiple rounds were fired into the vehicle.

The sedan was damaged, but neither occupant was struck by the gunfire.

Police said Morton and one of the people in the vehicle were known to each other.

State Police Take Over Investigation
After evidence identified an off-duty Danville police officer as a suspect, Danville Police Chief Chris Wiles requested that the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation handle the case.

State police subsequently charged Morton with two counts of attempted malicious wounding, shooting into an occupied vehicle and using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

He also faces charges related to firing a gun from a motor vehicle, reckless handling of a firearm and discharging a firearm within city limits.

Officer Arrested Without Incident
Authorities said a multi-jurisdictional effort was launched to locate Morton.

At approximately 9:52 a.m. on September 21, a Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s deputy and a Virginia State Police trooper stopped Morton during a traffic stop in Danville.

He was arrested without incident.

Morton was subsequently taken before a magistrate and held without bond, according to an update released by Danville police.

Investigation Continues
Morton has also been placed on leave without pay pending further administrative action by the Danville Police Department.

Virginia State Police said the criminal investigation remains active and that no additional details would be released at this stage.

The charges against Morton are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Sources
Danville Police Department — Update: Attempted Aggravated Assault
Virginia State Police