Drone and Wildlife Camera Help Capture Suspect in Virginia Deputy Killing, June 02

By Huzaifa Zahoor

June 2, 2026

12:01 PM

3 min read

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Key Points

Deputy Logan Utt killed during welfare check in Cana, Virginia, May 29.

Puckett fled and was spotted on wildlife camera in North Carolina Sunday morning.

Drone surveillance helped agents locate and arrest Puckett at 8:32 p.m. Sunday.

FBI and U.S. Marshals offered $60,000 reward for information leading to capture.

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Michael Puckett, 55, was arrested Sunday night in North Carolina after a three-day manhunt following the fatal shooting of Virginia sheriff’s deputy Logan Utt. Law enforcement used a drone and wildlife game camera to track Puckett across state lines. The arrest marks the end of an intensive multi-agency search that involved the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and local police from both states.

How the Shooting Happened

Deputy Utt and another Carroll County sheriff’s deputy responded to a welfare check at a home on Fancy Gap Highway in Cana, Virginia, on Friday, May 29, around 9:26 p.m. local time. Puckett allegedly opened fire on the deputies when they arrived. Both deputies were struck by gunfire. Deputy Utt, 31, a military veteran who joined the department in 2023, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead. The second deputy was struck in his ballistic vest and survived in stable condition.

Technology Leads to Capture

The search expanded to North Carolina after Puckett was spotted on a wildlife game camera in Surry County on Sunday at 6:56 a.m. ET. North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation agents deployed a drone to track Puckett’s movements near Mount Airy. At approximately 8:32 p.m. Sunday, agents located Puckett at 137 Skyview Lane in Surry County while he was ringing the doorbell of a residence. Puckett was still armed with a handgun when arrested without incident.

Federal Reward and Charges

The FBI and U.S. Marshals Service offered a combined $60,000 reward for information leading to Puckett’s capture. Puckett was arrested just six miles southeast from where the manhunt began. He was transported to Surry County Detention Center in Dobson, North Carolina, and held without bond. Court records show an arrest warrant charges him with first degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. Puckett waived his right to a court-appointed lawyer at his Monday extradition hearing and awaited transport to Virginia.

Final Thoughts

Law enforcement successfully used drone surveillance and wildlife cameras to end a three-day manhunt across state lines. The case demonstrates how technology enables rapid fugitive apprehension in multi-jurisdiction investigations.

FAQs

How did police find Michael Puckett?

A wildlife game camera spotted Puckett in Surry County, North Carolina on Sunday morning. Agents used a drone to track his movements and located him near Mount Airy.

What happened to the second deputy?

The second deputy was struck by a bullet in his ballistic vest during the shooting. He survived and recovered at home in stable condition.

What charges does Puckett face?

Puckett faces first-degree murder charges in Deputy Utt’s death and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is held without bond.

Disclaimer:
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About Author

Huzaifa Zahoor

Co Founder

Huzaifa Zahoor is the engineer who built Meyka. He has spent years writing Python, training AI models, and building data pipelines specifically for financial markets. His technical articles have reached over 30,000 readers on Medium, so he knows how to make complex things easy to follow. If this article touches on how the tools work, he is the person who actually built them.