(Danville) — A Danville man shot in a confrontation with city police earlier this year will be back in court this week.
Attorneys for 25-year old Nicholas Beddoo will offer pre-trial motions Wednesday in Danville Circuit Court. It was back in February when Danville Police were called to the parking lot of Westwood Middle School after school hours. Witnesses reported an aggressive armed man making threats.
For 25 minutes, officers tried to negotiate with Beddoo, who claimed to be armed and suicidal. Police say Beddoo pulled a gun and fired it away from them. They ordered him to drop the gun. They say Beddoo turned and pointed the gun at them. Officers fired. They administered first aid before Beddoo was taken to the hospital.
Beddoo is charged with one count of discharging a firearm on school property and two counts of assault and battery on a law enforcement officer. Beddoo was a housekeeper at Riverside Health and Rehab on Riverside Drive.
He will be arraigned next week with a trial set for November 19th.
Last month, the three Danville Police officers who confronted Beddoo were honored by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police with their Award for Valor.
Sgt. Clarence Goins, Officer Seth Parker, and Officer Nicholas Smithers accepted the award at the group’s annual awards ceremony.
Goins has served with the Danville Police Department for 21 years. Parker has five years on the force—Smithers is in his second year.
Also, Danville Police Sergeant Jacob Amos and Officer Isaiah Rossier were honored with the Award for Lifesaving for their administration of first aid to Beddoo that afternoon.