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Kenneth Phillips

Age : 47

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 02/10/2026

Location : U.S. 23 near Mountain Empire Community College

City : Big Stone Gap

County : Wise

State : Virginia

Agency : Wise County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) :Unknown

Cause of Death : Suicide

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 02/10/2026, Kenneth Phillips, age 47, died after shooting himself inside a vehicle on U.S. 23 near Mountain Empire Community College following a police chase in Wise County. Deputies had received an alert from authorities in Scioto County, Ohio, that Phillips was wanted in connection with a sexual assault investigation and was believed to be armed and suicidal. Officers attempted a traffic stop after locating his vehicle, but he continued driving and a pursuit began. The chase ended when spike strips disabled his car. Deputies reported hearing a gunshot once the vehicle stopped and found Phillips dead from a self-inflicted wound with a firearm recovered inside the vehicle. Multiple local departments assisted and Ohio authorities are handling the underlying investigation.

 

SOURCE LINKS :

https://mountain-topmedia.com/police-sexual-assault-suspect-kills-self-after-chase/
https://www.wymt.com/2026/02/10/police-southwest-virginia-investigating-shooting-incident/