Molotov Cocktails Ignited in Middle School Parking Lot

A routine patrol yielded some interesting results for a Prince William County Police officer on Sunday.

According to an email from Battalion Chief Joe Robertson, a police officer saw a large fire in the parking lot of Rippon Middle School on Sunday just before 1 a.m.

Upon investigating, several subjects fled the scene. Robertson said that additional officers and a K9 unit joined the search for the subjects but were only able to apprehend Douglas Shea Whitmore. 

Fire marshals were then called to the school where they found five of the Molotov cocktail-type devices; two of which had been ignited. 

Police executed a search warrant at Whitmore's apartment in the 15000 block of Sunny Ridge Court that same morning where additional items of evidentiary value were collected and processed.

Whitmore is charged with manufacture, possession, and use of a fire bomb; conspiracy to commit a felony; and underage possession of alcohol.

Police are working towards identifying, apprehending and charging Whitmore's accomplices.