JAMES CITY COUNTY — Two people — an adult and a juvenile — were charged Sunday afternoon after a shooting at the Rodeway Inn & Suites located at 5351 Richmond Road.
According to the James City County Police Department, it responded at approximately 5:20 p.m. on April 6. Police said the incident allegedly followed an escalation of a verbal argument between the victim, a 40-year-old male, and a juvenile family member.
Upon arriving the hotel room, police said officers found several children and two adults, one of which was found to be suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Officers secured the scene and took a juvenile male suspect into custody without incident.
Once deemed safe, officers and personnel from the James City County Fire Department initiated lifesaving efforts, police said. The victim was transported by ground to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center and later airlifted to VCU Medical Center in Richmond due to the severity of his injuries. As of the morning of April 7, the victim remains in critical condition, according to officials.
Detectives from the Department’s Criminal Investigation Unit have assumed responsibility for the ongoing investigation, according to police. Forensic personnel processed evidence and detectives worked throughout the evening to gather information regarding the circumstances leading up to the shooting. The Williamsburg/James City County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and James City County Child Protective Services were notified and remain involved in the investigation, officials added.
A 13-year-old male has been charged with the following:
- Aggravated Malicious Wounding
- Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony
- Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling
- Juvenile in Possession of a Firearm
- Reckless Handling of a Firearm
Additionally, 35-year-old Stephanie Shackleford, mother of the juvenile and present at the time of the shooting, has been charged with:
- 6 counts of Child Neglect and Abuse
- 6 counts of Allowing Access to Firearms by Children
The juvenile was transported to Merrimac Detention Center, and Shackleford was transported to the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail, police said.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Det. Logan English at 757-592-6518 or logan.english@
