Authorities confirmed on Wednesday that four teenagers are in custody following a shooting during an illegal gun sale and robbery in northeastern Virginia on Tuesday evening that left three people dead and three others injured.
The Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office received calls about a shooting just outside of Fredericksburg, in the area of Olde Greenwich Drive and Lafayette Boulevard around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Deputies responded to find multiple people shot at the town house complex following what they now believe was an “illegal gun sale/robbery,” according to a news release. The three people killed were two 18-year-old men, identified as Spotsylvania County residents Chase Feaster and Alonzo Goffney; and one 20-year-old man who was not publicly identified.
The four suspects — two 16-year-olds, a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old — were arrested and charged with “malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony unlawful assembly” on Wednesday morning. Three of the suspects are being held without bail; one 16-year-old suspect suffered a gunshot wound and is in the hospital, but will be incarcerated upon his release.
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office sharing in a social media post: “All suspects are in custody and there is no threat to public safety … We commend our detectives on bringing this tragedy to a closure,” the sheriff’s office said. “We want to thank our partnership with the Fredericksburg Police Department and the Virginia State Police for their assistance during the investigation.”
Fredericksburg City Public Schools announced on its website that schools would “operate on a two-hour delay” Wednesday “in light of the profound impact this incident has had on members of our school community. This delay will allow us the necessary time to prepare our buildings and staff to welcome students with the care and support they may need during this difficult time.”
Spotsylvania County Public Schools also operated on a two-hour delay Wednesday, saying it would allow staff to have support in place to help students and staff who may have been impacted. The support included additional deputies and presence from the sheriff’s office at each of the high schools.
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