AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. — An investigation into a December 2025 officer-involved shooting that left a Staunton man dead and an Augusta County sheriff’s deputy wounded has concluded, with prosecutors determining the deputies’ actions were justified.
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office investigated the Dec. 17 shooting on Parkersburg Turnpike.
The findings were turned over to the Augusta County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, which determined the deputies involved were justified in their actions.
According to state police, three deputies assigned to the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit were attempting to take Dustin Griffin, 42, of Staunton, into custody on six felony warrants at about 8:40 p.m. when shots were fired.
One deputy was struck in the arm and suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
The other two deputies returned fire, killing Griffin.
The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office requested that Virginia State Police investigate the shooting.
