Donald Barry Minter

Deadly force

Martinsville Police Department officers received a call for a man that pulled a knife on a clerk at a Kroger store. Upon arrival, officers encountered Donald Barry Minter in the parking lot. He tried to stab an officer who was in his patrol car. Minter was tasered. He got in his car and closed the door. An officer broke the window and tasered him again. Minter fled after backing over a shopping cart. A pursuit followed into Henry County lasting approximately two miles. Minter lost control of his other, crashing into a fence. Officers blocked him in with their vehicles and ordered him to stay in the car. He got out and fled on foot. Officers gave chase, and the suspect pulled a knife on them. The Taser was used twice again. He then drew back the knife and advanced at Officer Anita Sowers and was shot and killed.