Off-duty FBI agent fatally shoots man helping deputies break up fight, Virginia cops say
A Virginia man who was trying to help deputies break up a fight was shot and killed by an off-duty FBI agent, authorities said.
The man was identified by the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office as 61-year-old Harold Chamberlain in a March 7 news release. Deputies said he heard the argument Feb. 28 in front of his house in Fredericksburg and came out to help them.
“This courageous resident rushed from his yard into the scene in an attempt to help,” deputies said in the release. “During the altercation the off-duty FBI agent discharged his firearm, striking the resident in the chest.”
According to authorities, an off-duty FBI agent confronted a reckless driver on a dirt bike, but the driver left. Later on, the driver came back with family members and was stopped by deputies.
The family members refused to obey deputies’ instructions, leading to a fight with the deputies and the FBI agent, deputies said.
Then, Chamberlain came out to help the officers and was shot by the FBI agent, deputies said. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.
“We continue to keep his family and friends in our thoughts and prayers,” deputies said.
In an online obituary, loved ones described Chamberlain as “hard working” and “courageous.”
“(Chamberlain) was always there to lend a hand, whether to mend a fence, cut a tree down, or to fix a child’s bike. He tragically lost his life to helping others,” the obituary read.
Deputies said the investigation is ongoing. The FBI agent’s name was not released.
Fredericksburg is about a 60-mile drive north from Richmond.
This story was originally published March 11, 2025 at 10:21 AM with the headline "Off-duty FBI agent fatally shoots man helping deputies break up fight, Virginia cops say."
