Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 11, 1993 TAG: 9305110386
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CAROLYN CLICK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
There were no injuries and the suspect, Miles Grady Pennington Jr., of Blacksburg, was taken into custody without incident.
Pennington was found sitting in his vehicle when police arrived shortly after 11:35 a.m. and ordered him out of the car.
"I needed help, I needed help," Pennington told authorities, according to Salem Police Lt. J.H. Stump. He was charged with reckless handling of a firearm.
Hospital Director John Presley said Pennington appeared intoxicated and apparently was trying to draw attention to himself. He said he did not know whether Pennington was preparing to seek help from the hospital.
A workman near the scene heard the first shot and alerted VA hospital police. They, in turn, radioed the Salem department for backup and began cordoning off the area.
"Thank God, nobody was hurt and as far as I can tell, no property was damaged," said Presley.
Pennington, who had been a patient at the hospital for several weeks in 1982, worked as a grounds crew supervisor at Virginia Tech. Tech spokesman Dave Nutter said Pennington had been employed at the school for more than 10 years.
Police believe about five shots were fired out the window of his car. They recovered one cartridge and also found evidence that Pennington had been drinking.
Stump said Pennington was being evaluated for his mental condition.
"It probably wouldn't happen again in 20 years," said Presley. "His intention wasn't robbery, his intention wasn't harm, his intention was to, maybe, draw attention to problems he was having."
Staff writer Ron Brown contributed information to this story.
by CNB