A suspected Virginia cop killer was captured shirtless and one state away after a massive two-day manhunt that involved the FBI and the US Marshals.
Michael Puckett, who allegedly killed one deputy and injured a second on Friday in rural southwest Virginia, was arrested in Surry County, North Carolina, Sunday evening, Carroll County Sheriff’s Department said.
The alleged killer, 55, was found ringing the doorbell of a Mount Airy. North Carolina, home about 20 miles from the crime scene.
Cops swooped on the home after a man reported Puckett was in his yard.
Puckett was armed with a handgun but North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation agents made the arrest without incident, according to WDBJ.
Police described his condition as “good enough,” and said he could respond to verbal commands, WXII reported.
He has been charged with aggravated murder, a Class 1 felony in Virginia, which carries a sentence of life imprisonment if he’s convicted.
Law enforcement described Puckett as “armed and dangerous.” He was spotted on a wildlife camera around 7 a.m. Sunday, hours before being apprehended.
The cop killing sparked a two-day manhunt involving the FBI, US Marshals, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
He was wanted for the death of Logan Utt, who joined the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office in 2023 after serving in the military.
Puckett allegedly shot both deputies, killing Utt, when the conducted a routine welfare check at a farm.
Law enforcement appealed for surveillance video to help track down the alleged killer.
“We also ask home and business owners to lock your vehicles, close your garage doors, lock up your sheds and do not leave anything outside Puckett could use to assist him to elude capture,” Virginia state police said.
Utt, described as a “jolly officer” by devastated pal Cody Ray Hiatt, leaves behind a wife and children, WTVR reported. The injured officer is recovering.
A combined reward of $60,000 for information leading to Puckett’s arrest was put out by the authorities.