Search for Branscome: 100 leads, Police pretty sure he’s receiving help

State Police say they are almost 100% positive that Trooper shooting suspect Steven Branscome has received help in hiding and running from the dozens of officers searching for him.

In a news release, State Police Superintendent Colonel Steven Flaherty says, “For Steven Branscome to have been able to elude authorities this long, we are fairly sure that he has received help along the way.  We are hopeful that this can come to a peaceful end with no one, including Branscome, being hurt. All we want is a swift and safe resolution to this search.“

Troopers tell us anyone caught helping or hiding Branscome could face charges that include obstruction of justice and being an accessory to the charges Branscome faces.

Investigators say they have followed up on close to 100 leads since this past Tuesday on Branscome’s location.  Police have been searching for Branscome since last Friday, when officers say Branscome shot at a Giles County State Trooper during a chase from Glen Lyn to over the state line in West Virginia.  The Trooper was not seriously hurt.

Police say they last saw Branscome in the Indian Valley area of Floyd County last weekend.  The officer who saw Branscome says the suspect had cut his hair in a military style crew-cut.