Explosives Found in Shooting Suspect's Home

TL;DR: Explosive ordnance discovered in home of shooting suspect who injured two Chesterfield Police officers and killed a police K-9.

The story

A May 31 shooting in the 12900 block of Gumfork Place in Chesterfield County has widened into a more serious investigation after police discovered explosive ordnance at the suspect's residence. Gary G. Shaw, 65, allegedly opened fire on responding officers during what began as a domestic dispute with his mother at the home. When she called for help, Shaw was firing shots inside the residence and attempting to break into an upstairs bedroom where she had locked herself. Officers Jacob Clark, 25, and Jacob Wells, 40, arrived around 4:40 p.m. to find Shaw armed with both a pistol and a long gun. Shaw fired multiple shots at the officers; Clark was shot seven times and received more than 70 units of blood during emergency treatment, while Wells was shot twice, with one round severing the brachial artery in his right arm. Both remained in critical but stable condition. Police K-9 Knight, a five-year-old German Shepherd and Malinois mix who had served the department for four years, was also shot and killed during the exchange.

Shaw was injured in the firefight and hospitalized; he is expected to survive. He now faces 17 felony charges, initially nine counts that were expanded when prosecutors added eight additional charges. The charges include two counts of attempted aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer, two counts of aggravated malicious wounding of a law enforcement officer, one count of killing a police dog, and four counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. The discovery of explosive ordnance at his residence during the investigation suggests a more complex threat picture than the initial shooting incident alone. Additional weapons were found positioned throughout the home where they could have been accessed during the initial encounter. Bomb squad and federal explosive experts were called to secure and investigate the explosives found at the scene.

Shaw is scheduled to return to court on August 20. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have reviewed home security footage from the incident.

Key players

• Gary G. Shaw — Suspect; charged with 17 felonies including attempted aggravated murder of law enforcement officers and killing a police dog
• Officer Jacob Clark — Chesterfield Police officer, 25; shot seven times, critically injured
• Officer Jacob Wells — Chesterfield Police officer, 40; shot twice, critically injured
• K-9 Knight — Chesterfield Police K-9; five-year-old German Shepherd and Malinois mix; killed in shooting
• Chesterfield County Police Department — Law enforcement agency responding to incident

Key dates

• 2026-05-31 — Shooting incident at Gumfork Place; two officers shot, K-9 killed
• 2026-08-20 — Gary Shaw scheduled to return to court

Why it matters: The incident underscores the dangers police face responding to domestic disturbances and raises serious community safety concerns about the discovery of explosives at a residential location. The injuries to the two officers—one a new father—represent significant personal and professional costs to the department and families involved.

Places

• Gumfork Place
• Chesterfield County Police Department

Related links

• Chesterfield County Police Department
• Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors

Read the original at Google News: Chesterfield County →

Sources

• Explosive ordnance found in home of suspect involved in shooting that injured two Chesterfield Police officers, killed police K-9
• 'One of your worst nightmares': New details emerge after 2 officers shot, K-9 killed
• Suspect in Chesterfield officer shooting now faces 17 felony charges, including attempted murder
• Shot 7 Times, New Dad Among Virginia Officers Facing Long Recovery After Gun Battle Killed K9
• Man charged for shooting two Chesterfield police officers and K-9