John Vernon Grant Sanford

Deadly force

Police said they received a call about an armed man just after 5 p.m. An officer who was reportedly in the neighborhood on an unrelated call saw John Vernon Grant Sanford outside carrying a shotgun. The officer walked toward Sanford, who allegedly pointed the gun at him. A witness said the officer had his gun pointed back at Sanford when another officer arrived and aimed his gun at Sanford, as did a man in civilian clothes. The witness said she heard 10-15 shots after Sanford backed into the porch by his side door. According to police, Sanford ignored officers' warnings to drop his shotgun and then fired at an officer, who fired several shots in return.