08/17/2026
*** Press Release ***
Rocky Branch Incident 8/16/2026
On Sunday, August 16, 2026, at approximately 22:15, the Page County Emergency Communications Center received a call about a Flock camera on fire near the Page Co-Op in Luray. Luray Police Officers and PCSO Deputies responded to find the Flock camera vandalized and on fire. At approximately 22:27, an additional call reported that there was a Flock camera on fire near 340 & Mechanic Street. Deputies and Officers arrived to find the Flock camera vandalized. Deputies and Luray Police Officers began searching the area to find that the Flock camera near the intersection of Mechanic Street and Bixlerâs Ferry Road had also been vandalized.
A deputy stationery near 211 E. BSN and Dry Run Road observed a subject allegedly vandalizing the Flock camera near that intersection. The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver failed to stop. The suspect led officers to the area of Kimball/Rocky Branch. While on Lyn-Mar Road, the suspect vehicle stopped, a white male exited the driverâs side, and with a rifle, opened fire on the deputy who was pursuing. Multiple rounds were discharged by the suspect into the deputyâs patrol car. The deputy was able to take cover and return fire, striking the suspect vehicle multiple times. The suspect re-entered his vehicle and fled the scene. The deputy was not injured.
Additional PCSO and Luray units continued to pursue the suspect vehicle farther east into Rocky Branch, where the suspect allegedly continued to fire shots at pursuing officers. Officers lost sight of the suspect at Rocky Branch and Shenk Hollow Road. At approximately 23:03, the suspect dialed 911 and spoke with the communications officer on duty and advised that he wanted to surrender peacefully. The suspect was found on Batman Hill Road. Warren County TAC Team assisted with their âBearcatâ armored vehicle, and once on scene they approached the suspect and took him into custody without further incident.
The suspect is identified as Alexander Michael Morgan, 31, of Lodi, New York. Morgan has been charged by Page County Sheriffâs Office, Criminal Investigations Division with the following;
§18.2-31 - Attempted Aggravated Murder
§18.2-53.1 - Use of a Firearm in commission of a felony
§18.2- 162 â Damage or trespass to public services or utilities or critical infrastructure.
Morgan was held without bond.
The Page County Sheriffâs Office was assisted by the Luray Police Department, Stanley Police Department, Shenandoah Police Department, Warren County Sheriffâs Office, Rockingham County Sheriffâs Office, and the Virginia State Police, Division II Bureau of Criminal Investigations, and the Page County Commonwealthâs Attorneyâs Office.
Anyone witnessing the destruction of the Flock cameras or witnessing shots fired during the pursuit is encouraged to contact Sergeant Corey Seal, Page County Sheriffâs Office Criminal Investigations Division, at (540)743-7810.
*** Subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. ***