Stafford Man Wanted For Assault, Firearm Violations Near Middle School

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The Stafford County Sheriff's Office identified 39-year-old Zachary Saunders of Stafford as the man with a weapon in the England Run subdivision that caused deputies to place a nearby middle school on a secure posture on Tuesday morning, according to authorities.

Sheriff's deputies responded around 9:33 a.m. for the report of a disturbance with a weapon in the England Run area.

"It was discovered the victim was involved in a verbal altercation with a male she knew as 'Junior,'" according to the incident report. "During the altercation, Junior would assault the victim, take her firearm, and proceed to brandish it at her and juvenile inside the residence. Luckily, the victim was able to flee the residence with the juvenile."

The deputies searched the area and, out of an abundance of caution, placed T. Benton Gayle Middle School on a secure posture, according to the sheriff's office. Through their investigation, they identified Saunders as the "Junior" mentioned by the victim.

The deputies weren't able to locate Saunders and the secure posture at Gayle Middle School was lifted, authorities say.

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Currently, Saunders is wanted for assault and battery, simple assault, two counts of brandishing a firearm, reckless handling of a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, and grand larceny, according to the incident report.

Anyone with information about this case or who knows Saunders' whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 540-658-4400.