Three Pittsylvania County sheriff's deputies in southern Virginia were struck by shrapnel Wednesday while executing arrest warrants and a protective order.

Sheriff Michael W. Taylor reported that the injuries were not life-threatening, although he acknowledged that they were "shocked" by the incident. The warrants were related to the offenses of carrying a firearm and breaking and entering. The operation resulted in a standoff that lasted several hours, but ended without any additional casualties, with the alleged shooter in custody. Wounded by shrapnel Taylor specified that none of the officers were directly hit by bullets, but that the wounds were caused by shrapnel fragments. "They are fine." They are now in the process of recovering, he said in statements reported by AP.

The sheriff asked the Virginia State Police to take over the investigation into the shooting. Sergeant Rick Garletts, a spokesman for that force, said that teams would remain at the scene all night to collect evidence.

Garletts stressed that the outcome could have been more serious: We are very glad that there weren't more injuries tonight. I'm glad that he gave up and got out.

Republican Representative John McGuire, who represents Virginia's fifth congressional district, expressed his sympathy for the injured officers and their families on the X network. "We are closely monitoring the situation and our hearts go out to everyone affected during this difficult time," he wrote.

Pittsylvania County is located on Virginia's southern border with North Carolina, about 98 miles northwest of Raleigh. The area is predominantly rural but has seen an increase in incidents involving firearms in court proceedings in recent years.