Police close in on man wanted in shooting of trooper

State Police say they think the man who shot and wounded a trooper Friday is on foot in rural Floyd or Patrick counties, and the area is the focus of an intensifying manhunt.

Police say they think they spotted the man Sunday morning, driving a stolen pickup, said Corinne Geller, a State Police spokeswoman. But he abandoned the vehicle and ran into the woods before he could be caught.

Scores of troopers backed up by dozens of local sheriff's deputies and federal agents are involved in the search.

"They are scouring the area," Geller said Sunday night. "We have had significant resources dedicated to this since Friday afternoon."

Residents have been warned to make certain their homes are secured and vehicles locked.

Monday afternoon state police announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Helicopters and police K-9s as well as bloodhounds are being used in the effort to track down the man, believed to be Steven Branscome, 32, who is wanted on multiple charges stemming from an exchange of gunfire with Trooper Richard Hughes.

The gunman had earlier led troopers on a pursuit after he fled in a car from a residence where authorities had gone to serve warrants on another man.

The road chase ended when the car wrecked and the driver fled into woods, followed by Hughes.

They had run across the state line into West Virginia when, Geller said, the gunman sprang from behind a tree and fired multiple shots at Hughes. One struck him in the neck, coming perilously close to his spinal cord, but not damaging it.

Hughes "was one very, very lucky individual," Geller said. "He is fine."

Hughes told WDBJ-TV in Roanoke that it simply wasn't his time to go.

"Something like this, it's got to be God watching over you," he said. "I just remember several shots, and the burn in my neck, and I can hear the shots pass me in a whistling sound through the woods."

Geller said she spoke with Hughes on Saturday and that he was ready to go back to work.

"He's pretty interested in the capture of this individual," Geller said, "but we told him to give it a little time before he comes back to duty."

Hughes, who is recovering at his home, is being kept apprised of developments in the case.

On Sunday morning, an officer on patrol in Floyd County spotted a blue 1988 Ford F-150 pickup, reported stolen Saturday in West Virginia.

Authorities had said that they thought that theft might be linked to Branscome.

Officers gave chase. The driver turned onto a dirt road near the community of Meadows of Dan, Geller said, and then bailed out of the vehicle.

He then ran into the woods and is believed to have crossed into Floyd County in the Indian Valley area.

Authorities were working to seal off that area Sunday night in hopes that they can corral the man who they said they believe to be Branscome.

Whoever he is, the man was not wearing a jacket, authorities said. He faced a very cold, wet night on the run.

Temperatures in that area dipped to near the freezing overnight, the National Weather Service said. And drizzle was expected to change to rain today with a high in the 40s.

In the meantime, forensics technicians have been examining the pickup for any clues that might assist in the investigation, Geller said.

Steve Stone, (757) 446-2309/2319, steve.stone@pilotonline.com