Man shoots at law enforcement, fires over 100 bullets into JCCPD police car

A York County man is in custody after he shot at local law enforcement officials and fired over 100 rounds into a James City County police vehicle, authorities said.

The details: The incident took place shortly after noon. James City County officers arrived at a home in the 300 block of Mark’s Pond Way to investigate a road rage incident that took place earlier that day near Toano.

A joint press conference was held by James City County Police Chief Mark Jamison and York-Poquoson Sheriff Ron Montgomery on Wednesday to discuss the situation.

• “We received multiple calls reporting that a motorist had been allegedly shot at by a lone occupant of a light blue sedan,” Jamison said, adding that the victim was not injured. 

When police arrived to investigate, a man opened fire on them from the upper floor of a home while they were still on the roadway about 200 feet away.

• The suspect, later identified as Andrew Susalis, 35, fired several rounds from a high-powered rifle, according to officials.
• Susalis then shot at a James City County police car for about five minutes, riddling it with more than 100 bullets. He ultimately surrendered.

No serious injuries: Jamison said one James City County officer “sustained injuries from two bullet fragments” at the scene and was treated at a local hospital. The other officers involved were not injured.

• “To pull up on the scene and take multiple rounds from a rifle inside a car and you’re fighting for your life at that moment is something we never expect to experience,” Jamison said. 
• “Our officers responded with bravery, courage and unbelievable resolve to be able to survive this incident because there was an attempt on their life.”

Litany of charges: Susalis has been charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, two counts of felony reckless handling of a firearm, one count of felony destruction of property and one count of felony shooting into an occupied dwelling.

• Montgomery added that the situation could have ended far more tragically for everyone involved.
• “I thought it was incredible that we didn’t have any loss of life or more serious injuries than we had,” he said.