Soldier killed by Virginia police was armed with BB gun

Hopewell deputies stopped a speeding 2000 Nissan Altima on southbound Interstate 295, but the driver sped away, prompting a brief pursuit, authorities said. After about 2 miles, the driver stopped, jumped out of the car and confronted two deputies.

The man, identified as Army Pfc. Robert L. Henderson III, 21, fired upon the deputies, who then returned fire, wounding him, authorities said. He died at a Richmond hospital.

Henderson pointed a BB gun at the deputies and refused to comply with their demands that he drop the weapon, according to the Virginia State Police, which was called in to investigate the shooting.

One deputy suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene. The second deputy was not injured.

Henderson, of Reisterstown, Md., was a supply clerk with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, according to Fort Bragg officials.