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.
Fredericksburg City Public Schools will open two hours late on Wednesday, April 9, in response to a mass shooting that left three people dead and three others hospitalized Tuesday evening in neighboring Spotsylvania County.
School officials announced the delayed opening late Tuesday, citing the “profound impact this incident has had on members of our school community.”
“We appreciate your understanding and support as we navigate this together,” the division said in a statement.
The shooting occurred around 5:30 p.m. in the area of Olde Greenwich Circle, just off Lafayette Boulevard. Deputies with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire and found six people suffering from gunshot wounds. Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while three others were taken to area hospitals. Their conditions have not been released.
Law enforcement officials say the investigation remains “active and fluid,” and no suspects have been arrested. A large police presence continues in the area as detectives work to determine what led to the deadly shooting.
“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.
The names and ages of the victims have not been released.
Potomac Local News will continue to follow this developing story.
A new agreement between the City of Fredericksburg and its public school system will open school gymnasiums and facilities to the public, expanding access to recreation programs for children, teens, and families.
On Tuesday night, City Council unanimously approved a shared-use agreement with Fredericksburg City Public Schools that gives the Parks, Recreation, and Events Department expanded access to school buildings, including the former Walker-Grant School, now Gladys West Elementary.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
At 5:05 p.m., the Fredericksburg Police Department announced Fasihullah's arrest.
“We want to thank the public for your patience and assistance,” the department stated.
The closure of schools Friday was a precautionary measure after the FBI’s Washington Field Office informed Fredericksburg Police on Thursday evening that Fasihullah may be in the city. Local authorities recognized the teen from the March 19 incident at the high school, where he fled the campus after being approached by a School Resource Officer.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Fredericksburg City Manager Tim Baroody presented the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget proposal to the City Council on March 11. The proposal outline a $136.75 million spending plan to strengthen public schools, upgrade infrastructure, and ensure long-term financial stability.
The proposal includes a three-cent real estate tax increase to fund these initiatives, bringing the rate from $0.77 to $0.80 per $100 of assessed value. This tax hike is expected to generate additional revenue while helping to fund essential services such as a new middle school, a fire station, and water system upgrades.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
In mid-February, Peter Mealy headed to the Walker Grant Middle School PTA meeting in Fredericksburg to speak about his latest venture teaching guitar to students after school at Walker Grant and hopefully enlarging the program in one form or another.
Mealy is a well-known musician around Fredericksburg, and if he can use the guitar in a positive fashion then so can students who learn it in middle or high school. “Then they have a skill for life,” he said, stressing that it’s not going to cost the school system a huge chunk of money for something that might deliver a huge chunk of benefits for the students.Â
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
A winter storm bringing snow and strong winds will force schools in Stafford County, Fredericksburg City, and Spotsylvania County to close on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
Stafford County Public Schools will be closed, with all 12-month staff operating on a two-hour delay. As a result of this closure, Friday, March 21, 2025, will now be a regular, full instructional day for students to make up for the lost classroom time.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Schools across the region will be closed on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, as a winter storm moves through the area, bringing snow and hazardous travel conditions.
King George County Schools will be closed and have designated the day as an Asynchronous Learning Day. 12-month employees are expected to report to work on time.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) has initiated the search for a new principal for Hugh Mercer Elementary School, following the transition of current Principal James Snyder to a division-level role focusing on facilities and operations. Effective February 14, 2025, Courtney Wheeler will assume the position of Interim Principal at Hugh Mercer Elementary.
Wheeler's extensive experience within FCPS includes serving as principal of Lafayette Elementary School until December 2024 and being appointed as principal of Gladys West Elementary School in August 2024. She began preparations in January 2025 to open Gladys West Elementary, the division's third elementary school, scheduled to welcome students this fall.
A 2007 graduate of UVA Wise with a degree in education and endorsements in elementary education and middle school history, mathematics, and science, Wheeler spent nine years teaching in Spotsylvania before joining FCPS. Within the division, she has held roles as both teacher and administrator at Lafayette and Hugh Mercer Elementary Schools, ascending to the principalship at Lafayette in 2019.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) will soon embark on a new initiative to expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) student opportunities, thanks to a $1 million donation from the Silver Companies. Founded in Fredericksburg and now headquartered in Florida, the regional real estate company has pledged the investment to help build a new CTE Center, set to be named after Larry D. Silver, the company's founder and a graduate of James Monroe High School.
The Fredericksburg Education Foundation will hold the funds until the concept for the new CTE Center is fully developed and the facility is constructed. This donation is part of an ongoing effort by FCPS to enhance its career training offerings, focusing on areas such as criminal justice, culinary arts, emergency medicine, trades like HVAC and plumbing, and many more.
