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Man charged in shooting incident involving deputies

Release Date: January 28, 2004

2 Deputies that were Shot
Deputy Pagenkopf	Deputy Harris

Shelby County Sheriff's deputies have now charged one person involved in the recent shooting that left two deputies injured, one critically.

Investigators say Tab Virgil, Jr. 22, from Metarie, Louisiana near New Orleans, has been charged with Criminal Attempt to Wit First Degree Murder. The case is also being reviewed by the United States Attorney's Office for additional firearms charges.

Officers say Virgil was the person who fired at the S.W.A.T. officers at a south-east Memphis apartment two days ago. However, the two other persons who were questioned by investigators that afternoon will not be charged.

Here is a brief synopsis about the incident:

• On January 26, 2004 just after 2 p. m., twelve (12) Shelby County S.W.A.T. and Narcotics officers went to the Hickory Pointe apartment community in south-east Memphis. The officers had a search warrant for drugs believed to be inside the apartment. A small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia including spoons and syringes used to inject heroin were found.
• Officers knocked on the door and identified themselves. After no answer, the officers entered 2470 Hickory Villas, apartment two. They found the three people inside the apartment.
• As S.W.A.T. officers searched the apartment, investigators say Virgil began shooting at them with a 9 mm handgun.
• Deputy Chris Harris, 29, was shot in the jaw, hip and leg. He remains in critical condition at The Med following extensive surgery. Harris has been with the Sheriff's Office for six years and has served on the S.W.A.T. team since 2001. Harris is married with one child.
• Deputy Jason Pagenkopf, 31, was shot in the neck. He has now been released from The Med . Pagenkopf has been with the Sheriff's Office for ten years and has served on the S.W.A.T. team since 1999. He is married with two children.

Investigators say Tab Virgil is a singer. He was recently associated with the musical rap group “Hot Boys” and “Cash Money Millionaires”.

Tab Virgil, Jr.

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