4 In Custody In VA Mass Shooting; 2 Victims Killed Identified

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA — The names of two of the three people killed in a Tuesday shooting in Fredericksburg were released Wednesday morning, along with the name of a suspect in custody. Authorities said four suspects are believed responsible for the gunfire, with three people in jail and the fourth in the hospital.

Jeremiah Upson, 18, is one of the four suspects arrested in connection to the shooting that killed three men and injured three others, the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office said.

"One of the 16-year-old suspects is currently at a local hospital suffering from a gunshot wound," according to the sheriff's office. "Two of the suspects are Spotsylvania County residents and two are Caroline County residents. Three of the suspects have been incarcerated with no bond. The suspect who is currently in a local hospital will be incarcerated upon his discharge."

Two of the victims killed were Chase Feaster and Alonzo Goffney, both 18, who were both from Spotsylvania County.

Related: Suspects In Custody: 3 Dead, 3 Injured In VA Mass Shooting

The name of the third victim killed was held pending confirmation from the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Investigators said they believe the shooting involved an illegal gun sale and robbery.

All suspects in the fatal shooting in the Olde Greenwich Circle area were in custody, the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office reported around 7:15 a.m on Wednesday. The active shooter situation ended and there was no immediate threat to the public, according to authorities.

Upton was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday morning in Spotsylvania County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court on the malicious wounding charge, according to court records. His preliminary hearing is set for May 28.

The malicious wounding charge is a Class 3 felony. If convicted, Upton faces a potential penalty of five to 20 years in prison, along with a possible fine of up to $100,000, according to the Code of Virginia.

The Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office said it received a report of a shooting about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and deputies found multiple people at the scene had been shot. Three people are confirmed dead, and the three wounded have been taken to local hospitals.

After three people were fatally shot and three other victims were wounded in the neighborhood just outside Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County, Fredericksburg City Public Schools opened on a two-hour delay on Wednesday.

"In light of the profound impact this incident has had on members of our school community, FCPS will operate on a two-hour delay tomorrow, Wednesday, April 9," the district said on social media. "We appreciate your understanding and support as we navigate this together.

Major Elizabeth Scott with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office said at a press conference Tuesday night that the department had drones flying over the wooded area near the cul de sac as officers searched for a likely armed suspect.

SEE ALSO: Parents Of 3rd-Grader Who Brought Loaded Gun To School Arrested

WJLA reporter Lianna Golden told WTOP that witnesses described the gunshots as sounding like “a machine gun,” and they saw young men walking down the street with “guns in their hands.”

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 800-928-5822 or 540-582-5822; share tips online at www.p3tips.com or www.spotsylvaniacrimesolvers.org.

Because of the shootings, both Lafayette Elementary and Walker-Grant Middle School in the City of Fredericksburg were put on lockdown about 6 p.m., and parent-teacher conferences were canceled.

The school district said after 7:20 p.m. that it was safe to leave the buildings.

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