Ex-girlfriend: Bus-station gunman hated police officers

Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va.

An ex-girlfriend of the gunman at a Virginia bus station said Friday he frequently expressed his hatred toward police and once nearly choked her to death after she broke up with him.

James Brown III was killed Thursday by two Virginia state troopers after authorities say he fatally shot Trooper Chad P. Dermyer at a Richmond Greyhound station.

Brown, 34, who had a lengthy criminal record, previously said he would rather die fighting police than return to prison, the ex-girlfriend said.

“He wanted to be one of those guys that just died killing police officers because they are not taking him back to jail,” she said.

She spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because she said she fears for her safety.

Authorities said Friday they’re still trying to piece together what happened at the busy bus terminal and what Brown’s motive was.