By Christine Schirmer
A case of mistaken identity triggered a seven-hour standoff that was punctuated by gunfire at a local motel Friday morning.
The incident ended peacefully after Kevin Devon Miller, 21, of Elkhorn Road, Java, surrendered to authorities at 4:36 p.m., after holding scores of law enforcement officers at bay for hours from inside his room at the Hudson Motel on Route 58 in South Boston.
Miller is now being held without bond in the Halifax Adult Detention Center, charged with the attempted capital murder of State Police Special Agent L.D. Bishop and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
An apparent case of mistaken identity initially led police to Miller's room shortly before 9:45 a.m., according to South Boston Police Chief Jim Hall.
Acting on information provided by a Crime Stoppers' caller, South Boston officers, accompanied by Virginia State Police troopers, arrived at the motel at 9:43 a.m. and knocked on the door to room 106 in an attempt to serve felony warrants on a man they believed to be staying at the motel.
Miller, who was staying in room 106 with his girlfriend but was not the individual named on the warrants, according to Hall, did not immediately answer the door. However, officers reportedly saw the curtain move.
Seconds later, instead of the door opening, a shot was fired from inside the room. The officers withdrew and called for backup, Hall said.
Moments later, shaken but unharmed, 19-year-old Christy Emerson of Clover exited the room. Hall said that she will not be charged in connection with the incident.
Miller remained inside the room and could not be seen through the door, which remained open.
"They have been here about three nights," said motel employee Mike Patel. "They were good guests, no problem." Patel estimated 10 other guests were staying at the motel and had to be evacuated at the time the first shot was fired.
Not long after additional units from the Virginia State Police, Halifax County Sheriff's Department and South Boston Police converged on the scene, a second shot was fired from inside the room at 10:32 a.m.
Because Miller positioned himself in the rear of the room, officers on the scene said they had no way to see the suspect through the open door. Their tension was visible as they awaited the arrival of the State Police Tac (tactical) Team with their remote audio/video robot, which could be sent into the room with Miller.

However, when the team arrived an hour and a half later, there was no time to position the device in the room, as a barrage of gunfire erupted from inside the room and the door was slammed shut from inside.
At this time, authorities closed the portion of Route 58 in both directions in front of the motel to protect passing motorists from stray bullets. Traffic was re-routed up Route 360 and through the flood detours until the standoff was resolved six hours later.
Within minutes, things went from bad to worse for local law enforcement, as two armed men robbed the Jiffy Food Store across town and vanished from the scene with an undetermined amount of cash before police arrived.
According to Hall, throughout the afternoon as State Police officers and counselors attempted to negotiate with Miller via a cellular phone, he continued to fire his weapons at the officers surrounding the building. State Police Lt. J.T. O'Neil said Miller knocked a vent unit out of the wall on the back side of the room, making it possible for him to shoot from the back as well as the front of the room.
The shattered windshield of Emerson's green Nissan Sentra parked in front of the room was a standing testament to the hail of bullets that issued from the room and came within inches of the officers who were crouched, guns drawn, behind their squad cars in front of the motel.
Capt. Howard Gregory, with the Virginia State Police, confirmed that officers on the scene did return fire, but the total number of shots fired had not yet been determined.
Once Miller surrendered, Lt. Rick Loftis with the South Boston Police said investigators recovered a 9-mm semi-automatic with a 16-shot capacity, a .357-caliber revolver, and a .38-caliber handgun.
As the afternoon wore on, several people who claimed to know Miller arrived on the scene and offered to talk to him. However, it was his pastor, Dr. C. Lewis Motley from the Elkhorn Baptist Church, who eventually made the connection.
Protected by a bullet-proof vest, Motley spoke to Miller and within minutes convinced the young man to put down his weapons and surrender.
Hall emphasized the cooperation between the three law enforcement agencies, the restraint demonstrated by the officers and the negotiators' efforts, and credited them with the incident's peaceful conclusion.
"It was a team effort of all three (police) agencies," he said. "Any time that you go into a situation like this and it can come out with no one being hurt it's been a good day."
According to O'Neal, had the situation unfolded differently, the use of tear gas would have been considered as a means to remove Miller from the room. However, O'Neal said the danger factor in this situation was too high.
"We want to ensure that everyone - not just the police officers but the suspect and everyone else - is taken care of," he said. "(The use of tear gas) is the very last alternative once everything else has failed. We were prepared, but negotiations were going on, the pastor was doing a wonderful job, and as long as we could see that we were making some progress - even just talking to the suspect - we would continue to do that."
It is essential to reassure the individual in a standoff situation like the one that occurred Friday, O'Neal said, as the slightest thing could set the suspect off.
"That person has to be reassured that we are not going to hurt them," O'Neal said. "That's a fear they have once they get into this, is that we are here to hurt them. That's the furthest thing. We really try to pursue all courses of action. We don't want anyone to get hurt, even the suspect."
According to Loftis, in addition to the arsenal of weapons, investigators also recovered "a lot of items that will be sent to the (forensic) lab in Richmond," including digital scales that appeared to be coated with a residue of a narcotic nature.
No court date has been set at this time, however, Miller was previously scheduled to appear in Halifax County Circuit Court Monday on an alleged parole violation.

Chief Judge Charles L. McCormick III of the Tenth District Circuit Court will retire in January after having served continuously in public office for over 30 years.
During his years of public service, the Halifax native has served as common-wealth's attorney, Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court judge and, since 1983, as a judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit.
He will retire upon completion of his current term of office on January 31, 2000, he announced in a statement issued Friday.
"It has been a great privilege to have served in these various positions over the years and I am most appreciative of the support and confidence afforded me by the citizens of Halifax and the other counties of our area. It has been an experience for which I am deeply grateful," he added.
In the future, Judge McCormick said he would sit as a substitute judge, if called on to do so.
Tenth District Circuit Court includes Halifax, Mecklenburg, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Prince Edward, Appomattox, Cumberland and Buckingham counties.
"The Tenth Circuit runs from the James River to the North Carolina line and is geographically one of the largest circuits in the state," explained the judge.
Judge McCormick is a graduate of Virginia Episcopal School of Lynchburg, Washington & Lee University and Washington & Lee's School of Law.
He first practiced law with the firm of Joyce & Stone in Martinsville from 1960-1964.
He entered private practice in Halifax in 1964. In 1969, he was appointed commonwealth's attorney. In 1972, he was appointed Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court judge, serving in that position until May of 1983 when former Gov. Charles Robb appointed him circuit court judge.

Blessed with beautiful weather, a huge crowd and hefty donations, North Halifax Volunteer Fire Department closed its Marathon Day on Saturday with a grand total of $18,827 in pledges and donations.
The NHVFD's goal had been $7,000.
"We had a very successful day," said James Burton, a Marathon committee member.
"By 9 p.m. closing, we had received $8,555 in donations and pledges," added Burton.
"In addition to that, our Ladies Auxiliary cleared $10,272 in sales of stew, chicken, barbecue and chances on the handmade quilt."
Lyle Wilson of Brookneal won the beautiful quilt.
Burton said proceeds from the marathon will go toward general operating expenses of the fire department.
"We had a big crowd," added Burton. "In excess of 200 chairs were set up, and most of the day they were full. People were coming and going all day.
"We want to thank the local entertainers for the day. The crowd really enjoyed it."
Community sponsors who helped fund radio ads and local newspaper coverage were credited by Burton with helping to fuel the successful Marathon. "Without publicity, we would not have had all those people coming in."

NHVFD covers approximately 1,500 homes in its district, according to Burton.
"Firemen have been busy with an occasional structure and grass fire, and our EMT crew had numerous calls answering assistance with the rescue squad," added Burton.

Two men robbed the Jiffy Food Store in South Boston Friday and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Virginia Lynch, manager of Jiffy, said the two robbers, their heads and faces covered with shirts, walked in and one waved a gun in her face.
"All the money, bitch," Lynch said she was told as she filled a bag with an undisclosed amount of money.
Lynch described the two as young black teens. Lieutenant R.D. Loftus of the South Boston Police Department said both suspects were of average height and slim build.
While both wore dark T-shirts over their heads, the suspect who brandished the weapon was wearing light-colored sweat pants and a light-colored T-shirt.
The other suspect was wearing dark-colored sweat pants and a dark-colored T-shirt. Each had on a pair of black-and-white sneakers.
Loftus said the robbery took place at 11:45 a.m. with no injuries. The suspects fled down an alley behind the store.
Anyone who has information related to the crime can call the Crime Stoppers Program at 575-4277.
All information is confidential. No names will be revealed. There can be a reward if the information leads to an arrest and conviction. A Port Charlotte, Florida, man was arrested Friday by the Halifax County Sheriff's Department as a fugitive from justice.
Paul Douglas Pearce, 19, fled the justice of Florida after being sought on charges of burglary.
A warrant of arrest for the extradition of Pearce by the General District Court of Bedford County, Florida, was issued for the September 10 offense.
Lawrence Everett Jr., 18, of Halifax, was arrested Sunday after he allegedly attempted to run his vehicle into another car at Lakeside Trailer Park.
According to the Virginia State Police, Everett faces felony charges for the attempt to cause bodily harm to Donna Mitchell, 29, driver of the vehicle, Sabrina Featherson, 28, Deloris A. Plenty, 32, and Yvette Everett, 26, wife of the alleged assaulter.
The arrest was made at 3:50 a.m. by Trooper D.T. Conner.
A hearing date is set for September 20.

The South Boston Town Council will meet tonight at 7 p.m. to discuss the estimated costs to surface the streets within the Sutphin Road Project Area.
The Planning and Engineering Department estimated that the total cost to surface Sutphin Road from Jewell Street to Berry Hill Road; Jewell Street from Sutphin Road to the end; and Porter Lane 600 feet from Sutphin Road will be approximately $64, 050.
Council is also expected to approve an ordinance authorizing the issuance of a $6.1 million general obligation bond for public improvements to finance certain improvements to the town's water and sewer systems.
The projects include $1,331,600 in water expenses - such as extended lines to the AXA Berry Hill property, EDA raw water intake, and Broad Street water improvements - and $4,743,000 in sewer expenses - such as extended lines, headworks, and the sewer pump station upgrade.
Council will also discuss and is expected to adopt a resolution approving the town's annual borrowing.
The resolution states that the town be allowed to borrow up to $700,000 during the 1999-2000 fiscal year, should the need arise.
Council will also be asked to consider a resolution to initiate amendment of the South Boston zoning map to rezone AXA Berry Hill property from R-1 to B-2 (General Business), to allow for the college, restaurant and hotel accommodations.

SMITHFIELD, Va. (AP) - More than 30 people gathered just downwind of the Smithfield Foods packing plant to protest the pork company's environmental record.
Environmentalists say the plant's foul odors can cause respiratory problems and its animal waste pollutes waters. Smithfield Foods was fined a record $12.6 million by a federal judge in 1997 for polluting the Pagan River.
The company owns or has operating agreements with dozens of Virginia hog farms, according to the Southside Concerned Citizens, one of Smithfield's biggest critics.
The Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club and the citizens group want Gov. Jim Gilmore to hold up permits on new or expanded hog farms until the operations improve how they get rid of waste.
''It's time that the governor step in to protect our environment before we lose it,'' said Glen Besa, Sierra's state director.
Smithfield Foods had no comment on the protest Saturday at North Church Street Park, about a quarter mile from the plant.

Arthur Joseph "Boom" White, 73, of 706 Edmunds Street, South Boston, died Thursday, September 9, 1999 at the Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. White was born in Manhattan, N.Y. on September 19, 1925, the son of Joseph White and Sarah Mountine White. He was married to Minnie Lee Crowder White and attended First Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters: Peggy Royster and Rose Palmer of Halifax; two sons: Howard White of Columbia, S.C. and Tommy White of Amelia; three step-daughters: Betty Barksdale of Washington, D.C., Lottie Mae Whittaker of Richmond and Floreine Wheeler of Ridge Square, N.C.; six grandchildren and two brothers: Jack White of Charleston, S.C. and Howard White of Manhattan, N.Y.

A funeral service was held Sunday, September 12 at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel with Minister Yvonne White officiating. Burial took place in the Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Harry Elliott McKinney, 81, of 5047 Mountain Road, Halifax, died Friday, September 10, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. McKinney was born in Charlotte County on August 14, 1918. He was married to Nannie Bell Rutledge McKinney and was a member of Pleasant Grove United Church of Christ.
Survivors include his wife; one step-daughter: Elizabeth Ann Horton of Halifax; three step-sons: Robert Woodson Chappell of Winston-Salem, N.C., Pete Chappell of Halifax, Jackie Allen Chappell of Vernon Hill; seven step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Monday, September 13 at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Grove United Church of Christ with the Rev. Carl Hudson and Rev. Jim Smith officiating.
Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.

Lt. Col. Frederick N. Oettinger Jr., 84, of the Clark-Royster Home, Rose Hill Ave., Clarksville, died Thursday, September 9, 1999 at McGuire Veterans Administration Regional Hospital, Richmond.
Lt. Col. Oettinger was the son of Frederic N. Oettinger Sr. and Florence Asquith Oettinger. He retired from the Army February 2, 1969, after 30 years of active duty at the U.S. Continental Army Command headquarters, Fort Monroe. At his retirement ceremony he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the nation's third highest award for meritorious service.
Among his other numerous military decorations, he was awarded two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars with "V" device, three Purple Hearts, two Awards of Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Master Parachute's Badge. Among his battle stars are the Normandy Invasion (D-Day), The Battle of France, Battle of Ardens (Battle of the Bulge) and the Battle of Central Europe.
Lt. Col. Oettinger graduated from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, with a degree in Economics and Army Command and General Staff College. Upon retirement he worked for the Mecklenburg County Health Department for 12 years and was a member of the Clarksville Town Council. He was a past Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars and member of the Halifax Regional Hospital Diabetic Advisory Board. He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, Boydton.
Survivors include his wife: Mary Anne Boyd Oettinger of Clarksville; one daughter: Anne Goode Price of Atlanta, Ga.; one son: Frederic N. Oettinger III of Henderson, N.C.; four grandchildren: Mary S. Price, Alexander B. Price, Meredith D. Oettinger and Morgan P. Oettinger.
A funeral service will be held Monday, September 13 at 11 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church. Full military rites will be held Thursday, September 23 at 11 a.m. in the Ft. Meyers Chapel in Arlington National Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, the Boyd Family Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 183, Boydton, Va., 23917, the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association.

Judson C. Bledsoe, 91, of 529 Logan St., South Boston, died September 9, 1999 at Henrico Doctors Hospital, Richmond.
Mrs. Bledsoe was born in Halifax County on September 17, 1907, the daughter of Samuel Y. Clark and Lutie H. Clark and was married to R. Garnett Bledsoe, Jr. She was a member of First Baptist Church.
Survivors include one son: Robert G. Bledsoe III of Richmond and one grandson: Robert G. Bledsoe IV of Richmond.
She was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters.
A funeral service was held Sunday, September 12 at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bob Fox and Rev. Frank Riley officiating. Burial took place in the Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Marion Blanche Stortz Black, 88, of 1113 N. Main St., South Boston, died September 9, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Black was born in Vicksville on March 9, 1911, the daughter of Frederick W. Stortz and Marion Blanche Pittman Stortz and was married to Edwin Nelms Black Jr. She was a member of First Baptist Church.
Survivors include three sons: Edwin Nelms Black III of South Boston, Frederick S. Black of Halifax, Richard H. Black of Staunton; five grandchildren: Frederick Stanley Black Jr. of Greensboro, NC, Mary J. Tuck of South Boston, Jamie Black and Scottie Black of Staunton, Dexter Bomar of South Boston; three great-grandchildren: Mary Edwin Saunders of Staunton, Elena E. Tuck and Cecil Ebin Tuck of South Boston.
A graveside service was held Saturday, September 11 at Oak Ridge Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Bob Fox officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to please consider the Halifax County Rescue Squad or the American Heart Association.

Hilda Tucker Brown, 88, of Halifax, died Wednesday, September 8, 1999 at Berry Hill Nursing Home.
Mrs. Brown was born in Halifax County on January 24, 1911.
Survivors include her sister: Beatrice Williams of Halifax, nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held Saturday, September 11 at Mt. Pleasant CME Church in Halifax with Rev. Ronald Dean officiating. Interment was held in the church cemetery

Moses Sweeney, 84, died Wednesday, September 8, 1999.
Mr. Sweeney was born in Halifax County on March 9, 1915, the son of Paul and Maggie Hughes Sweeney.
Survivors include his wife: Mary Peters Sweeney of Forestville, Md.; six children: Catherine Nathan of Oxon Hill, Md., Moses Sweeney Jr. of Landover, Md., Robert Sweeney, John Sweeney and Randolph Sweeney of Halifax and Andrew Sweeney of Newport News; two brothers: Leonard and Hezekiah Sweeney; two sisters: Doris Edmonds and Minister Handy Garrett; 34 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was held Saturday, September 11 at St. Paul CME Church with the Rev. Tom Dixon officiating. Burial was held in the family cemetery.

Ida Conner Mulchi, 70, of 2082 Horseshoe Trail, Alton, died Thursday, September 9, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Mulchi was born in Halifax County on November 30, 1928, the daughter of Luther Patrick Conner and Lessie Carver Conner.
Survivors include one daughter: Janet Carpenter of Midlothian; one son: Irvin Conner of Alton; three sisters: Mattie Perkins of Halifax, Dorothy Smith of Searcy, Ark., Nellie Vaughan of Alton; one brother: Luther R. Conner of Alton; one granddaughter: Malissa Carpenter of Charleston, W. Va.; and one grandson: Jonathan Patrick Carpenter of Richmond.

A funeral service was held Sunday, September 12 at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Richard Saunders and Rev. Rudolph Jacobs officiating. Burial took place in Black Walnut Baptist Church Cemetery.