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This is the first in a three-part series exploring Virginia Railway Express’ (VRE) ambitious System Plan 2050, which outlines a vision for how the commuter rail system could grow over the next 25 years. We'll break down what the plan means for the region, what riders can expect, and how the system hopes to pay for its bold goals.
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The Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC), a panel advising the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO), voted 9-4 in favor of a new option, informally dubbed “CTAC Option C.” The route would use Celebrate Virginia Parkway in Stafford County and cross the river where one of the previously studied alternatives—Option D—was proposed.
During a presentation at the April 21 FAMPO Policy Committee meeting, CTAC member Al Watkins said the new route was the result of “many, many, many hours” of analysis by committee members. The preferred alternative aims to reduce environmental impacts, minimize new road construction, and improve regional traffic flow between Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg.
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The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting stemmed from an attempted illegal gun sale and robbery.
Four suspects—two 16-year-olds, one 17-year-old, and 18-year-old Jeremiah Upson of Caroline County—have been charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and unlawful assembly. One of the 16-year-old suspects, who had been hospitalized with a gunshot wound, has since been released and is now being held at the Rappahannock Regional Juvenile Detention Center.
The other three suspects, all from Spotsylvania County, are being held without bond. The suspect still hospitalized will be taken into custody upon release.
The three deceased victims have been identified as:
- Chase Feaster, 18, of Spotsylvania County
- Alonzo Goffney, 18, of Spotsylvania County
- Sincere Devon Fitz, 19, of Spotsylvania County
The Sheriff’s Office initially responded to the scene around 5:30 p.m. on April 8 and discovered multiple people suffering from gunshot wounds. Three individuals were pronounced dead, and three others were transported to local hospitals.
The investigation remains active, but officials say significant progress has been made thanks to the efforts of detectives and assistance from the Fredericksburg Police Department and the Virginia State Police.
“We commend our detectives on bringing this tragedy to a closure,” said Major Elizabeth Scott in a statement. “We would certainly be remiss if we didn’t thank our community during what has been a stressful and heartbreaking several days.”
Virginia's first Success Space is opening at Spotsylvania Towne Centre. It will offer a fresh take on co-working that combines a professional workspace, on-site business coaching, and a cozy public café.
The new 5,300-square-foot facility is co-owned by Dr. Fallon Hutcherson and Felicia Minor-Caliste, two federal government contractors-turned-entrepreneurs who wanted to create a community-focused place for professionals to thrive.
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After a week marked by tragedy and intense emergency response, Riverside Center for the Performing Arts offers a night of respite to those serving on the front lines. The center is giving away 200 free tickets to local first responders and teachers for Friday night’s performance of Jesus Christ Superstar on April 11, 2025.
The offer is open to area educators, fire and rescue personnel, law enforcement officers, and other first responders. All seats are first come, first served, and must be claimed in person at the Riverside Center box office. Valid credentials are required.
“This week has been especially difficult for our first responders,” said Riverside Center spokeswoman Allison Mayberry. “We hope this performance can offer them a moment of peace and appreciation for all they do to keep our community safe.”
A Week of Crisis
The free ticket offer follows a series of disturbing incidents that unfolded in Spotsylvania County, putting significant strain on emergency services.
Triple Shooting Leaves Three Dead
On Tuesday, April 8, deputies responded to a shooting near Olde Greenwich Circle, just outside Fredericksburg. Three young men—identified as Chase Feaster, 18, and Alonzo Goffney, 18, both of Spotsylvania, and an unidentified 20-year-old—were killed. Three others were hospitalized.
According to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, the violence stemmed from an illegal gun transaction that escalated into a robbery. Four individuals, including three juveniles and 18-year-old Jeremiah Upson, face charges including malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and unlawful assembly.
The shooting prompted Fredericksburg City Public Schools to delay classes by two hours the following day out of an abundance of caution.
Plane Crash in Chancellor Community
On Wednesday afternoon, a Beechcraft aircraft en route from Leesburg to Hampton Roads crash-landed in the 11000 block of Scarlett Oak Road in the Chancellor area of Spotsylvania. The pilot reported oil pressure problems before attempting an emergency landing. The plane’s roof became lodged in a tree.
Both passengers were taken to Mary Washington Hospital with minor injuries. The FAA and NTSB are now investigating.
Gun Discharges in Elementary School Classroom
On Monday morning, a handgun discharged inside a third-grade classroom at Lee Hill Elementary School. The weapon was inside a student’s backpack when it went off accidentally. The teacher quickly evacuated all 26 students and alerted the school resource officer. No one was injured.
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate, and early indications show that the student did not intend harm.
A Night of Reflection
Friday’s performance of Jesus Christ Superstar begins at 7:30 p.m., and arrival is recommended by 6:45 p.m. Those wishing to purchase appetizers before the show must arrive by 6:15 p.m.
The groundbreaking rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice tells the story of the final week of Jesus Christ’s life, as seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Featuring timeless songs like “Superstar,” “Gethsemane,” and “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” the production dives deep into themes of love, betrayal, sacrifice, and redemption.
Claim Your Tickets
First responders may claim their free tickets by calling or visiting the box office:
Riverside Center for the Performing Arts
95 Riverside Parkway
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22406
Box Office Hours:
Thursday & Friday: 10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Phone: 540-370-4300
Tickets are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
According to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, a resident of the Olde Greenwich Circle neighborhood witnessed part of the incident and intervened in self-defense. The man told investigators he heard what he described as “rapid gunfire” outside his home around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8. When he looked out, he saw two individuals with long guns firing in the parking lot.
The resident instructed a family member to call 911, then retrieved a weapon from his home. When he stepped outside, the suspects were still shooting. The resident fired his gun, striking one of the suspects.
Another neighbor informed him there were additional shooters nearby, prompting the man to retreat into his home and wait for law enforcement. After interviewing witnesses, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed the man acted lawfully and will not face charges.
This update comes a day after authorities charged four individuals — including three juveniles — in connection with the incident, which investigators say began as an illegal gun sale that escalated into a robbery and shootout.
The deceased victims have been identified as:
- Chase Feaster, 18, of Spotsylvania County
- Alonzo Goffney, 18, of Spotsylvania County
- A 20-year-old male whose identity is pending confirmation by the Medical Examiner’s Office
Three additional individuals were taken to area hospitals for treatment. One of the 16-year-old suspects remains hospitalized for a gunshot wound and will be taken into custody upon release.
The suspects, including 18-year-old Jeremiah Upson, face charges of Malicious Wounding, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, and Unlawful Assembly. Upson’s photo was released by the Sheriff’s Office. Two of the suspects are from Spotsylvania County, while the others reside in Caroline County. Three are currently being held without bond.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward as the investigation remains ongoing.
A small plane crashed Wednesday afternoon in a residential area of Spotsylvania County, marking the third major emergency response in the region this week.
Virginia State Police say the crash occurred around 3:08 p.m. in the 11000 block of Scarlett Oak Road, in the Chancellor area of the county, about six miles west of the Spotsylvania Towne Centre mall.
The aircraft, identified as a Beechcraft, had departed from Leesburg and was en route to Hampton Roads when the pilot reported an oil pressure issue and attempted to make an emergency landing in a nearby field. The plane crashed near Chancellor Road, with the roof of the aircraft becoming lodged in a tree.
Two people were on board at the time. According to state police, both were taken to Mary Washington Hospital with minor injuries.
Images provided by Virginia State Police show the plane severely damaged in a wooded area. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and will conduct a full investigation.
Friday’s crash follows a week of intense activity for first responders in Spotsylvania County. On Wednesday, a mass shooting tied to an illegal gun sale left three people dead and resulted in charges against four suspects. One day earlier, a child brought a loaded handgun into a third-grade classroom at Lee Hill Elementary School, prompting criminal charges against the child’s parents.
This is a developing story. Stay with Potomac Local News for updates.
Three young men are dead, and four others — including three juveniles — now face charges following a violent shooting tied to an illegal gun sale and robbery in Spotsylvania County.
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office announced today that investigators have charged four individuals with Malicious Wounding, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, and Unlawful Assembly. The suspects include two 16-year-olds, a 17-year-old, and 18-year-old Jeremiah Upson, whose photo was released by the Sheriff’s Office. One of the 16-year-olds is currently being treated at a local hospital for a gunshot wound and will be taken into custody upon discharge.
According to Major Elizabeth Scott, two of the suspects are from Spotsylvania County, and the other two are residents of Caroline County. Three of the suspects are currently being held without bond.
The incident unfolded around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, when deputies responded to reports of a shooting in the area of Olde Greenwich Circle, just outside Fredericksburg. Upon arrival, law enforcement found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
The victims were identified as:
- Chase Feaster, 18, of Spotsylvania County
- Alonzo Goffney, 18, of Spotsylvania County
- A 20-year-old male whose identity is being withheld pending confirmation by the Medical Examiner’s Office
- Three additional individuals were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
Investigators say the shooting stemmed from an illegal gun transaction that escalated into a robbery. “We commend our detectives on bringing this tragedy to a closure,” said Major Scott. She also thanked the Fredericksburg Police Department and the Virginia State Police for their assistance, along with community members who provided support during what she described as a “stressful and heartbreaking” time.
The incident prompted Fredericksburg City Public Schools to operate on a two-hour delay today, April 9, out of an abundance of caution.
The investigation remains active, and authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward.
This is a developing story. Check back with Potomac Local News for updates.
At 5:30 p.m., the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a shooting in the area of Olde Greenwich Circle, just off Layfaette Boulevard. Upon arrival, deputies discovered multiple individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while three others were transported to nearby hospitals with unknown conditions. The identities and ages of the victims have not yet been released.
The incident has prompted a large police presence in the area as investigators work to determine what led up to the shooting. No suspects have been arrested as of this report, and law enforcement officials say the situation remains “active and fluid.”
“We are urging members of the public to avoid the Olde Greenwich Circle area while our investigation continues,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Stay with Potomac Local News for continuing coverage of this developing story.
The parents of a third-grade student who brought a loaded handgun to Lee Hill Elementary School have been arrested and charged following a classroom incident that resulted in the weapon discharging inside a backpack.
According to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, Ciara Armstead, 36, and Terrence Carroll, Jr., 34, were each charged on Monday, April 7, with two offenses: one misdemeanor count of recklessly leaving a loaded, unsecured firearm in a manner that endangered a child under the age of 14, and one felony count of willfully or negligently endangering a child while having custody. Both were released on a $5,000 unsecured bond and are scheduled to appear in Spotsylvania County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on April 11.
