State Police back out in Floyd County searching for trooper shooting suspect

Updated 6:00 p.m.

The manhunt for 32 year-old Steven Branscome is taking a toll on his great uncle, Jessie and cousin, Dianna. “We’re very sorry about what happened to the state policeman. No one would want that to happen to anybody, but we’re worried about Steven.“

Dianna says the family is also worried about the image that’s being portrayed. “He’s just as nice a boy as I’ve ever had in my house,“ says Jessie. He’s always treated us nice.“

Branscome’s cousin fears that police may be anything but nice, if and when they catch him. “I’m afraid they’ll shoot before they think.“

Branscome has been spotted by police, but never caught. His late grandfather, George, was a former two-term Floyd County Sheriff. Some in law enforcement believe he learned about police tactics from his grandfather and that’s why he’s been able to escape them for so long. 

His great-uncle disagrees. “He {former Sheriff George Branscome} was working. He never did spend too much time with him.“
 
“He knows the woods pretty good,“ says Dianna. And, yes he’s a very intelligent boy.“

They hope he’s smart enough to turn himself in. They say what scares them the most is the $25,000 reward that’s being offered for his arrest. They fear someone may do anything for that kind of money. “The way he’s going now is dangerous,“ says Jessie. “He’ll either kill somebody or somebody will kill him.“

His cousin Dianna urges him to turn himself in before he gets hurt. “He’s more than welcome to contact us so we can help him turn himself him because in the long run that’s probably going to be the best thing for him.“

State police tell us there haven’t been any sightings of Branscome since Sunday, but they are still looking for him in the Floyd County area.

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10 On Your Side’s Ashley Roberts spoke with Steven Branscome’s Great Uncle and cousin today.

They tell a different story about Branscome’s ability to escape, sneak, and hide from police, than what investigators told us on Monday.  The pair claims Steven did not learn anything about police tactics from his grandfather, former two-term Floyd County Sheriff George Branscome, because Steven was too young when George died.

Branscome’s great uncle and cousin want Steven to reach out to them, so they can go with Steven to turn himself in.

Branscome’s great uncle and cousin tell us the events of the past week do not make sense with the Steven Branscome they knew.

Both relatives also do not like the $25,000 reward put out for Branscome, because they fear someone might get trigger happy.  Both also fear what police may do to Steven when they find him.

Both relatives also add that their thoughts are with the State Police Trooper who got shot, and his family.

10 On Your Side’s Ashley Roberts is following the search.  She’ll have an update on it, and how Branscome may have learned the skills he’s using to sneak and hide from police, tonight on WSLS at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

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State Police are back out in Floyd County today, searching for Steven Branscome.  Troopers say he shot and hurt Giles County State Trooper Richard Hughes last Friday, just over the Virginia/West Virginia state line near Glen Lyn.

Sgt. Bob Carpentieri says troopers have patrols out in the Indian Valley area of Floyd County this morning, with teams ready to go at a moment’s notice is Branscome is spotted.  Sgt. Carpentieri also says the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations is following up on leads and tips.

Other media reports claimed the search had been suspended on Monday, but WSLS quoted investigators on Monday and again this morning saying the search was just scaled back, and not called off.

10 On Your Side’s Ashley Roberts is following the search.  She’ll have an update on it, and how Branscome may have learned the skills he’s using to sneak and hide from police, tonight on WSLS at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.