Authorities say the incident happened around 10:50 a.m. when a handgun went off while inside a student’s backpack. Early interviews indicate the student did not intend to harm anyone, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The classroom teacher immediately evacuated all 26 students and alerted the School Resource Officer stationed at the school. Thankfully, no students or staff were injured during the incident.
Detectives are in the early stages of a preliminary investigation and are interviewing the student involved and the student’s parents.
“We will make you aware of all pertinent facts concerning the incident as we progress,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
The school sits about three miles from the Spotsylvania Medical Center. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Public transportation in Northern Virginia is seeing a significant rebound as ridership continues to climb on both Virginia Railway Express (VRE) trains and OmniRide commuter and local buses. However, transit leaders warn that increased demand may soon outpace available resources, especially for locally funded services.
During its March 2025 meeting, the VRE Operations Board reported that ridership in February topped 152,000 trips—despite only 19 service days and early-month weather disruptions. March figures are on pace to surpass that total significantly. With only 14 service days logged by mid-month, March had already recorded more than 162,000 trips. Average weekday ridership has climbed to more than 11,500 trips.
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- [Photo: Alan Gloss]
Prince William County
Gang Members Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Jailhouse Assault
Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth announced the successful prosecution of Bryan Hernandez Diaz and Jaime Garcia Mendoza following a gang-related assault on July 24, 2023, at the Prince William County Adult Detention Center in Manassas. Both men pleaded guilty to Malicious Wounding charges. Hernandez Diaz was sentenced to 10 years in prison on September 26, 2024, by Judge Robert P. Coleman. Mendoza received the same sentence on March 20, 2025, from Judge Tracey C. Hudson. Both were already in custody for unrelated violent felonies at the time of the attack and will serve probation upon release. The assault occurred inside Unit 13 Cell 1 when jail officers heard a cry for help. The victim was found bleeding heavily with multiple lacerations and puncture wounds consistent with sharp weapons, including a puncture wound to the chest. He told officers the attackers, including Diaz and Mendoza, declared intentions to kill him and believed he was affiliated with a rival gang to La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). Officers discovered bloody clothing in Diaz’s cell and a four-inch bloodied nail lodged in the toilet drain. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Alex Brandler, with Detective Casey Nelsen serving as the case agent. Celina Cary and Elena Latham from the Victim Witness unit also assisted. “We will continue to focus our office’s resources on prosecuting those that commit violent acts, especially gang violence,” said Ashworth. Source: The Office of the Commonwealth’s AttorneyWoodbridge Teen Convicted of 2022 Homicide
A jury in Prince William County found Elijah Hadley, 19, guilty of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and gang participation for the July 2022 shooting death of Brian D. Marshall II in Woodbridge. The verdict was reached on March 21, 2025. Sentencing is scheduled for June 5, 2025. Marshall was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his abdomen, arms, and legs. Investigators obtained Ring camera footage showing two masked individuals approaching the scene, opening fire, and fleeing. Weeks later, Hadley was arrested on an unrelated charge. A firearm found in his possession was confirmed through forensic testing to have been used in the homicide. His DNA was also found on shell casings at the scene, and clothing matching the shooters' attire was recovered from his home. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys Kathleen Bilton and Zoe Bair, and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Brandon Parker.“The evidence in this case was initially too weak to proceed to justice... I am proud of, and appreciate, all of the hard work by the prosecutors and police officers that contributed to bringing this case to justice,” said Ashworth.Victim Witness Director Tamara Thomas and Case Manager Celina Cary provided support to the victim’s family. Detectives S. Davis and D. Cupka were credited for their investigative work. Source: The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney
Spotsylvania County
Man Arrested in Child Pornography Investigation
On March 10, 2025, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding an online account allegedly used to upload and store child sexual abuse material. A search warrant was executed at the home of 28-year-old Bryson Jeleniewski in Spotsylvania County. Authorities seized multiple electronic devices. Jeleniewski was arrested and charged with two counts of 18.2-374.1:1(A) — possession, reproduction, distribution, solicitation, and facilitation of child pornography. He was remanded to the Rappahannock Regional Jail. The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office is part of the NOVA-DC Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, a nationwide network that supports local and state investigations into online child exploitation. Community members are urged to report suspected child abuse to the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia CPS State Hotline, or NCMEC at https://report.cybertip.org or 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Anonymous tips can be submitted through www.p3tips.com or the P3Tips app.Prince William County
Man Shot During Argument – Suspect Arrested
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All work is weather permitting. If you need real-time updates on lane closures, visit 511Virginia.org.
Interstate 95: Northbound & Southbound
- Exit 104 (Carmel Church) to Exit 148 (Quantico)
- Sunday – Saturday, 7 p.m.–7 a.m.
- Mobile lane closures for bridge cleaning at:
- Mile Markers 117, 119, 121
- Exit 126 (Spotsylvania)
- Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton)
- Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway)
- Mile Marker 137 (Potomac Creek bridges)
- Exit 140 (Courthouse Road)
- Mile Marker 144
I-95 Southbound at Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway)
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A new emergency veterinary clinic is set to open in Spotsylvania County, bringing critical pet care services to the Fredericksburg area. Cladda Veterinary Emergency Team, founded by a team of experienced veterinary professionals, is expected to open its doors in mid-May, pending final confirmations.
The clinic's founder, who had been searching for an ideal location since June 2023, identified a growing need for an emergency and specialty animal hospital in the region. Within months, the core leadership team, including Hospital Director Morgan Braman and LVT Manager Mallory Wisen, was assembled to bring the vision to life.
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The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has released its scheduled road work and lane closure updates for the Fredericksburg District for the week of March 16-22, 2025. All work is weather permitting, and motorists are advised to check 511Virginia for real-time traffic updates.
Interstate 95 Northbound and Southbound
Exit 104 (Carmel Church) to Exit 148 (Quantico)
Monday - Friday, 8 p.m.-5 a.m. – Mobile lane closures for bridge cleaning at the following locations:
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Fire and rescue crews responded to a brush fire near Mills Drive and Overview Drive in the Massaponax area on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
Emergency crews were called to the scene around 12:45 p.m. after multiple reports of a large fire near Germanna Community College. Several callers told Potomac Local News they could see a plume of billowing black smoke from Interstate 95.
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The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has released its list of upcoming road work and lane closures in the Fredericksburg District for March 9-15, 2025. Drivers should be prepared for temporary delays as crews perform maintenance, construction, and improvement projects across Stafford County, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania County.
All scheduled work is weather-dependent, and updates can be found on 511Virginia.
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Stafford Authorities ID Good Samaritan Killed
In Stafford County, officials have identified the man fatally shot during an altercation involving an off-duty FBI agent. Harold Chamberlain, Jr., 61, of Stafford was killed on February 28, 2025, after attempting to assist deputies in a physical struggle with individuals during a traffic stop in the Stratford Place subdivision.
The incident began when an off-duty FBI agent confronted a motorcyclist accused of reckless driving in the residential neighborhood. The motorcyclist fled but later returned with family members, leading to a traffic stop initiated by Stafford County deputies. The situation escalated when the motorcyclist’s family allegedly refused to comply with deputies’ commands, resulting in a physical confrontation.
