HENRICO COUNTY, Va. – A man accused of shooting a police officer in Henrico after an attempted robbery appeared in court today as the jury trial has been scheduled for later in the year. Michael Allendor Byrd, 23, faces several charges, including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, entering a dwelling with intent to commit robbery, and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
The incident occurred when police responded to a reported attempted robbery on Williamsburg Road and Brittles Lane. Byrd reportedly entered a business, demanded money at gunpoint, attempted to abduct an employee, and tried to rob another employee. However, the charges for the abductions have since been dropped.
When officers identified Byrd at the scene, he fled, leading to a chase during which he allegedly fired shots at the pursuing officers. The officers returned fire, resulting in serious injury to one of the police officers. He was later treated and released from the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Byrd’s jury trial is scheduled to begin on July 22, 2024, at the Henrico Circuit Court, spanning five days. These charges against Byrd come at a time of increased scrutiny on incidents involving law enforcement and the ongoing debate on gun violence. It remains to be seen how this trial will unfold and the impact it may have on discussions around public safety.