search for – Carroll County, Virginia is searching for Michael Puckett after he allegedly killed Deputy Logan Utt and wounded another deputy in a late-May gunfight at a rural home off Fancy Gap Highway in Cana. Officials say Utt was pronounced dead, the second deputy remai
A rural home outside Cana, Virginia went quiet after shots rang out just before 9:30 p.m. on May 29 — and by the time daylight arrived, Carroll County deputies were still hunting the man accused of firing first.
Carroll County Sheriff’s Office officials said they are searching for Michael Puckett after he was accused of killing one deputy and wounding another during a gunfight following a wellness check request from a family member. Sheriff Kevin Kemp said the call came in late May 29 for a home off Fancy Gap Highway.
Deputies arrived at the home and, during an encounter with Puckett, officials said he opened fire. Deputies returned fire. Both deputies were hit, Kemp said. Deputy Logan Utt suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead. The second deputy was struck in his ballistic vest and. just after midnight on May 30. received medical evaluation and was described as in stable condition.
Puckett fled the scene, and Kemp said it is unclear where he went. He is considered armed and extremely dangerous, and the search remains active.
“We’re still actively searching for the suspect,” Kemp said in the early afternoon of May 30, adding that it is unclear whether Puckett took off on foot or by vehicle.
Several agencies are assisting the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Kemp said. The search includes the U.S. Marshals. Virginia State Police is also investigating the shooting. and the agency said on social media that the Marshals are offering a $10. 000 reward for information leading to Puckett’s arrest.
The sheriff’s office urged residents not to approach the suspect if seen. Anyone with information about Puckett’s whereabouts should call 911 rather than try to engage him.
The man who died, Deputy Logan Utt, was 31. The sheriff’s office said he joined the department in 2023 and was a military veteran. Kemp said Utt’s lifelong dream was to become a deputy sheriff, and that he is a husband and father.
The sequence of events is stark: a wellness check request on Fancy Gap Highway led deputies to Puckett. gunfire followed. and then the county turned from responding on scene to searching across multiple agencies after Puckett vanished. As the hunt continues. officials are focused on keeping the public at a distance while investigators work to bring him in.
As of now, Puckett has not been located, and the investigation is ongoing as state and federal resources continue the search.
Virginia Carroll County sheriff's office Michael Puckett Logan Utt wellness check Fancy Gap Highway U.S. Marshals Virginia State Police $10 000 reward fugitive search police shooting
So they just… did a wellness check and it turned into a whole manhunt? Wild.
I saw $10,000 reward mentioned which is honestly low for how serious this is. If he’s “extremely dangerous” why not like $100k so people actually care?
Wait I’m confused, did the deputy get killed by the suspect during the wellness check or was it after the suspect ran? Feels like the story jumps around, like “wounded” and then “stable condition” and then suddenly he’s gone.
This is why I don’t trust “wellness checks.” One wrong turn and next thing you know deputies are shooting. Also why didn’t they just secure the area instead of letting this guy slip away on foot or vehicle?? Hope the family of that Logan Utt gets answers, because 2023 recruit or not… that’s a real person.