Man Charged After Shooting at Law Enforcement in Portsmouth

Charles R. Nichols III faces multiple felony charges after barricading himself in an apartment and firing at authorities.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A man has been charged with several felonies, including attempted second-degree murder and discharging a firearm in an occupied building, after he barricaded himself in an apartment in Portsmouth, Virginia and fired at federal and state authorities who were serving him a warrant.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers law enforcement officers face when serving warrants, as well as the potential for violence and property damage when suspects refuse to comply with authorities. It also raises questions about the suspect's mental state and criminal history.

The details

Charles R. Nichols III has been charged with three counts of attempted second-degree murder, three counts of discharging a firearm in an occupied building, three counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, and one count of threatening to bomb a structure. Nichols was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after a standoff that led to the evacuation of the apartment building he was barricaded in and a partial lockdown of City Hall.

  • The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 19, 2026 when federal and state authorities were serving Nichols a warrant.
  • Nichols was arrested on Wednesday afternoon following the standoff.

The players

Charles R. Nichols III

A man who barricaded himself in an apartment in Portsmouth, Virginia and fired at law enforcement officers who were serving him a federal warrant.

Virginia State Police

The state law enforcement agency that charged Nichols with multiple felonies following the incident.

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What’s next

The judge will determine whether to grant Nichols bail at a hearing on Friday.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the risks and challenges law enforcement face when serving warrants, and the potential for violence when suspects refuse to comply with authorities. It also raises concerns about the suspect's criminal history and mental state.