No charges filed in officer-involved shooting in Nottoway that left 56-year-old dead

NOTTOWAY COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- No charges will be filed in connection with the August 2025 officer-involved shooting in Nottoway County that left a 56-year-old man dead, according to the Commonwealth's Attorney.

On Aug. 16, 2025, 56-year-old Michael Woodson, of the Midlothian area of Chesterfield County, was the person shot and killed by authorities in an officer-involved shooting in Nottoway County.

In a press release shared on Friday, Feb. 20, by the Nottoway County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, authorities opened an extensive investigation into what happened, including the review of body-worn camera footage, dash camera footage, interviews, written statements and more.

Following the investigation, authorities determined that no charges would be filed in connection with Woodson's death.

"The law enforcement officers discharged their firearms only after Woodson pointed a firearm at them," wrote the Commonwealth's Attorney in the release. "When Woodson pointed a firearm at law enforcement officers in the woods, the officers had no immediate access to adequate cover or concealment, and they were in reasonable fear for their lives and the lives of the other law enforcement officers on scene."

In the initial investigation, Virginia State Police said the driver of the Tacoma, identified as Woodson, failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated.

After the vehicle was seen traveling over 100 mph in a posted 55-mph zone, an Amelia County Sheriff's Office deputy and deputies with the Nottoway County Sheriff's Office joined the pursuit.

"While on Route 153, Woodson continued to drive erratically, swerving and at times crossing into and driving in the oncoming lane of travel on the two-lane road," the office wrote. "He again pointed what appeared to law enforcement to be a black handgun toward the pursuing law enforcement vehicles."

The Commonwealth's Attorney said six law enforcement officers pursued Woodson into the woods after the Tacoma ran off the side of the highway and into the woods.

"While still inside the truck, Woodson pointed an object which appeared to be a firearm out the driver's side window toward law enforcement multiple times," the office said.

According to the office, he exited the truck from the passenger side and ran away on foot.

The office said all six law enforcement officers present pursued Woodson into the woods, where they repeatedly ordered Woodson to drop the gun he was holding. He continued running and "ignored the commands of law enforcement."

He then reportedly stumbled, fell to the ground and pointed a firearm directly at authorities.

"At that point, the five officers who had a clear line of sight discharged their weapons, fatally striking Woodson," the Commonwealth's Attorney wrote.

The office shared that they found a firearm in Woodson's hand, and it was moved out of his potential reach by law enforcement.

Toxicology results later showed that Woodson had methamphetamine in his system, per officials.

According to police, a Nottoway County Sheriff’s Office deputy was shot in the hand during the pursuit and taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Through this investigation, the office determined that Woodsman did not shoot the injured deputy.

"A review of all evidence available as of today's date indicates that Woodson did not shoot the
deputy," the office wrote. "The shooting injury of the deputy's hand was unintentional."