17-Year-Old Girl Arrested for Murder

Update: 1:48 p.m. - Bill Kennedy, public information officer for the Stafford County Sheriff's Office says that the murder of Brenda Dye was an "isolated incident." However, he has few other details immediately able to be released. Citing the ongoing investigation into the murder, Kennedy would not comment on how police were able to zero in on and arrest a suspect within a matter of hours. 

Kennedy did not know if police had been previously dispatched to the residence.

He declined to disclose if the suspect and the victim were related in any way, citing Freedom of Information Act rules prohibiting the identification of minors accused with crimes and noting that the investigation was still ongoing. 

Kennedy says Dye was declared dead on the scene.

ORIGINAL STORY: A 17-year-old girl has been charged with juvenile first degree murder in the death of 62-year-old Brenda Dye. Dye was discovered unresponsive and suffering a gunshot wound to the abdomen by her husband and son as they returned home from work. Police quickly focused in on the underage suspect, arresting her early this morning.

This is a developing story. Check back for more details as they are learned.

A short while ago, the Stafford County Sheriff's Office issued a press release, which can be read in full below:

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a 17 year old in the murder of 62 year old Brenda Dye of 700 Perry Drive in the Grafton Village area of Stafford County.  The female juvenile has been charged on a juvenile petition for 1 Count of First Degree Murder.  She is currently incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

Last evening, Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at approximately 6 p.m. deputies responded to an unknown medical call at 700 Perry Drive.  While en-route to the scene deputies were informed that a female at the scene was suffering from a gun shot wound and was unresponsive.  When deputies arrived at the residence they came in contact with the victim’s husband and son.  Both men had just arrived home from work and when entering the house the son discovered his mother, suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body, unresponsive and not breathing.

As the evening and the investigation continued detectives were able to link the murder of Brenda Dye to the 17 year old female juvenile. Early this morning the 17 year old was charged and incarcerated.  Due to the age of the suspect in this incident only limited information about the suspect can be provided.

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family of Brenda Dye,” states Sheriff Charles Jett.  “We are truly saddened by this senseless loss of life.”

The investigation is ongoing.