Parents Charged After Gun Fires In Spotsy Third Grader’s Backpack, Sheriff Says Parents Charged After Gun Fires In Spotsy Third Grader’s Backpack, Sheriff Says
Parents Charged After Gun Fires In Spotsy Third Grader’s Backpack, Sheriff Says A Virginia third grader brought a loaded handgun to school — and it went off inside his backpack, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office said.  Now, his parents are the ones facing charges. The gun went off inside a classroom at Lee Hill Elementary School around 10:50 a.m. on Monday, April 7, according to investigators.  There were no injuries, and the student did not appear to have intended to harm anyone, officials said. Deputies say the 8-year-old had found the unsecured firearm at home, stuffed it into his backpack, and accidentally pulled the trigger while reaching into t…
Fredericksburg Hoops Star Drowns Trying To Save Son On Spotsy Fishing Trip, Sheriff Says Fredericksburg Hoops Star Drowns Trying To Save Son On Spotsy Fishing Trip, Sheriff Says
Fredericksburg Hoops Star Drowns Trying To Save Son On Spotsy Fishing Trip, Sheriff Says New details have been released after former college basketball star Danny Sumner and his young child drowned during a family fishing trip. Sumner, a Fredericksburg resident, and his 6-year-old son Donovan were enjoying a father-son fishing trip at around 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 22 at a local boat landing just off Legacy Lane in Spotsylvania, according to the sheriff's office. Investigators say that Sumner's wife became concerned when the pair did not return by 9:45 p.m. that night, so she contacted the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office. Deputies arrived in the area and searched the ar…
Fugitive Wanted In Spotsy Tracked Down In After Fleeing In Bright Red SUV, Sheriff Says Fugitive Wanted In Spotsy Tracked Down In After Fleeing In Bright Red SUV, Sheriff Says
Fugitive Wanted In Spotsy Tracked Down In After Fleeing In Bright Red SUV, Sheriff Says A wanted fugitive rolling through Stafford in a bright red Chevy Blazer found out the hard way that you can’t hide in plain sight. Allen Weathers, 46, of Colonial Beach, was busted Thursday morning, March 27, by Stafford County deputies who had been tracking him for multiple outstanding felony probation violation warrants out of Stafford, Spotsylvania, and King George counties, the sheriff’s office said. Around 11 a.m. on Thursday, deputies spotted his unmistakable getaway ride near the 800 block of Kellogg Mill Road and quickly confirmed he was behind the wheel.  When Weathers turned…
Cyber Tip Sparks Child Porn Probe, Lands Spotsy Man Behind Bars: Sheriff Cyber Tip Sparks Child Porn Probe, Lands Spotsy Man Behind Bars: Sheriff
Cyber Tip Sparks Child Porn Probe, Lands Spotsy Man Behind Bars: Sheriff A cyber tip from a national watchdog group led to the arrest of a Virginia man who investigators say had child sexual abuse material on his devices. Bryson Jeleniewski, 28, was busted after deputies with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), according to a release from Major Delbert Myrick on Monday, March 25. The tip, which came in on March 10, flagged an online account believed to be uploading, storing, and possibly sharing child sexual abuse material, authorities said. Detectives from the Internet …
Fire Breaks Out On Spotsylvania Porch As Crews Contain Flames In Minutes Fire Breaks Out On Spotsylvania Porch As Crews Contain Flames In Minutes
Fire Breaks Out On Spotsylvania Porch As Crews Contain Flames In Minutes A late-night house fire in Spotsylvania County had emergency crews rushing to contain the flames, with firefighters arriving in just over eight minutes to find smoke pouring from a back porch, officials announced. Firefighters responded to the residential structure fire on Hilliard Court shortly after 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, according to Spotsylvania County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management. Crews worked quickly, limiting the fire to the porch and preventing it from spreading into the home. No injuries were reported, and the residents and their pets were able to remain in the ho…
Deputies Tackle Fleeing Spotsy Fugitive Fleeing In Stafford, Sheriff Says Deputies Tackle Fleeing Spotsy Fugitive Fleeing In Stafford, Sheriff Says
Deputies Tackle Fleeing Spotsy Fugitive Fleeing In Stafford, Sheriff Says A wanted man in camouflage thought he could blend in—but he didn’t make it far before authorities tackled him outside a Jersey Mike’s in Stafford County, officials said. Travis Ward, 38, of Spotsylvania, was in North Stafford, driving a red Pontiac G6 despite having no license and multiple active warrants in Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Fairfax counties, leading to his demise, according to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. The chaos unfolded around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 3 when deputies learned that Ward was in the area. Deputies spotted Ward heading west on Garrisonville Road…
Fugitive Tries To Outrun Cops, Gets Taken Down By Spotsy Officer After Stafford Crash: Sheriff Fugitive Tries To Outrun Cops, Gets Taken Down By Spotsy Officer After Stafford Crash: Sheriff
Fugitive Tries To Outrun Cops, Gets Taken Down By Spotsy Officer After Stafford Crash: Sheriff A wanted fugitive with warrants in multiple Virginia counties led deputies on a chase before crashing and trying to flee on foot—only to be tackled by a detective, authorities said. Stafford County deputies spotted the suspect in the 200 block of Garrisonville Road at around 11:40 a.m. on Monday, March 3, according to Major Shawn Kimmitz of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. Incident Alert:There is a large police presence in the area of Garrisonville Rd and Stafford Market Place for a pursuit that just ended. The suspect is detained and there is no danger to the community. We will pro…
Two Homes Destroyed In Late-Night Fires Minutes Apart In Spotsylvania Two Homes Destroyed In Late-Night Fires Minutes Apart In Spotsylvania
Two Homes Destroyed In Late-Night Fires Minutes Apart In Spotsylvania Two homes in Spotsylvania County went up in flames just minutes apart late Wednesday, Feb. 26, keeping firefighters racing across the county, officials said. Crews from Spotsylvania County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management responded to the first fire on Hummingbird Lane in the southern part of the county just before midnight.  Moments later, a second fire broke out on Foxhall Circle in the northern part of the county, officials said. Despite firefighters arriving at both scenes within seven minutes, the homes suffered significant damage, authorities said. Surrounding fire depart…
90 MPH Pursuit Through Spotsylvania Ends In Crash, Arrest: Sheriff 90 MPH Pursuit Through Spotsylvania Ends In Crash, Arrest: Sheriff
90 MPH Pursuit Through Spotsylvania Ends In Crash, Arrest: Sheriff A Spotsy man with a suspended license is facing multiple charges after a wild, high-speed chase through town ended with him crashing into a concrete median, authorities said. Christopher Blaser, 38, was spotted around 3:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, speeding over 90 mph eastbound on Plank Road near Orange Plank Road, according to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies attempted to pull Blaser over near Spotswood Furnace Road, but Blaser refused to stop, sparking a dangerous pursuit. Blaser continued to blow through red lights and race at high speeds, turning onto Harrison Road…
Schools Schedule Closures, Delays In Virginia Amid Latest Snow Storm Schools Schedule Closures, Delays In Virginia Amid Latest Snow Storm
Schools Schedule Closures, Delays In Virginia Amid Latest Snow Storm Many schools in Maryland and Virginia will be closed on Wednesday as the region continues to contend with the latest batch of winter weather that brought inches of snow and ice. Some schools were disrupted on Tuesday and dismissed students early, and even more are planning to close for the day on Wednesday, Feb. 12 with as many as six inches accumulating in some areas, leaving conditions on roadways tricky. Among the schools reported to be altering their dismissal times as of 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday:  Alexandria City Public Schools: All virtual; Arlington County Public Schools: Closed W…
Family Friend Sodomizes Minor In Spotsylvania, Sheriff Says Family Friend Sodomizes Minor In Spotsylvania, Sheriff Says
Family Friend Sodomizes Minor In Spotsylvania, Sheriff Says A Virginia man is behind bars after being arrested on multiple child sex abuse charges following an investigation by local authorities, officials announced. Schuyler Choate, 26, was taken into custody on Thursday, Jan. 30, after detectives with the Child Victim Unit determined he had assaulted a child under the age of 13 at his home in the 8900 block of Crismond Lane, according to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office. The victim’s parents immediately reported the abuse upon learning of the assault, officials said.  The victim, who is a family friend of Choate, was allegedly assaul…
Woman, 18, Shot In Spotsylvania Apartment Found In Vehicle: Sheriff Woman, 18, Shot In Spotsylvania Apartment Found In Vehicle: Sheriff
Woman, 18, Shot In Spotsylvania Apartment Found In Vehicle: Sheriff Deputies in Spotsylvania County are investigating a late-night shooting that left an 18-year-old woman wounded and raised questions about what led to the incident, authorities said. The shooting occurred on Monday, Jan. 27, around 10:30 p.m., when deputies responded to reports of gunshots in the area of 5300 Whispering Woods Lane. When they arrived, members of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office found a disabled vehicle on the sidewalk with several people standing nearby. Inside the car’s back seat, deputies discovered an 18-year-old woman suffering from a gunshot wound to her torso, …