LURAY, Va. — A member of the Luray Police Department died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Tuesday morning as Virginia State Police attempted to execute search warrants at his town residence.
The department learned of serious allegations involving the member Monday and immediately referred the matter to state police, according to a statement by Luray Police Chief Lonnie Foster.
Chief Foster posted the following statement shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday:
“On November 2, 2026, the Luray Police Department became aware of serious allegations involving a member of our department.
The matter was immediately turned over to the Virginia State Police, who are handling the investigation.
As previously reported by Virginia State Police, the department member died by suicide on the morning of November 3, 2026, while state police were attempting to execute search warrants at a residence in the Town of Luray.
We are cooperating fully with Virginia State Police and will continue to assist them as needed.
We understand this situation is concerning to our community, and we know people will have questions.
We take these matters seriously and want to assure our community that the investigation is being handled by an outside agency.
Our thoughts are with the family and everyone affected by this tragedy.
We ask for everyone’s patience and respect for those involved while the investigation continues.
At this time, any additional questions about the investigation should be directed to the Virginia State Police.“
Foster’s statement did not name the officer or detail the allegations.
Sources close to the incident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, identified the officer as Luray Police Captain Joshua A. Seal.
This is a developing story.
