Comment on Details of fatal officer-involved shooting in Pendleton County released

By Giuseppe Sabella The Hardy County Sheriff's Office shared details Tuesday morning about a chase that spanned several hours last week, ending with the death of a Virginia man. Authorities first learned about a man escaping from police in Rockingham County, Virginia, and entering Pendleton County at about 11:15 a.m. on April 18, according to a news release. Though the sheriff's office in Hardy will not identify the suspect until its investigation is complete, two other agencies identified the man as Casey Desper, of McGaheysville, Virginia, who was wanted on a probation violation. Virginia authorities said Desper reached speeds of more than 100 mph, and he reportedly threw metal objects from his Jeep Cherokee and shattered the windshield on an officer's vehicle, the release states. The Harrisonburg Police Department in Virginia said Desper threatened to "go out in a hail of gunfire," according to the release. West Virginia authorities reportedly found Desper on U.S.