2 charged after string of shootings at Stafford homes

Authorities in Stafford County say they arrested two men in connection to a string of shootings at houses in the White Oak area, outside Fredericksburg.

Here’s more in a press release:

During the week of January 26, 2015 Stafford County Deputies responded to reports of shots fired at multiple residences (6) in the White Oak area of Stafford County.  In addition, 2 residents were shot at in King George County, near the same area as the shootings in Stafford County, during the same time period.

During the next week, Stafford Deputies responded to additional shootings at dwellings in the same general area.  An intense, multiple pronged investigation was initiated complete with dozens of members of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office as well as assistance from the King George County Sheriff’s Office.

Stafford sheriff’s spokesman Bill Kennedy said the following men are charged:

Austin Keith Kerr, age 20, of Cherry Laurel Drive, has been charged with 2 Counts of Discharge of a Firearm in  Roadway, 2 Counts of Vandalism, 2 Counts of Reckless Handling of a Firearm, 2 Counts of While in a Motor Vehicle Discharge of a Firearm, 2 Counts of Conspire to Maliciously Discharge a Firearm Within a Dwelling While Occupied, 2 Counts of Maliciously Discharging a Firearm Within a Dwelling While Occupied, 2 Counts of Discharge of a Firearm in a Street That Did Not Result in Injury, 1 Count of Grand Larceny, 1 Count of Breaking and Entering and 1 Count of Distribution of Narcotics to a Person Under 18 Years of Age. The charges of Grand Larceny, Breaking and Entering and Distribution are the result of an incident that occurred in Stafford County earlier this year.

Christopher Patrick Kerr, age 18, of Sandy Ridge Road, cousin of Austin Kerr, has been charged with the same counts as Austin with the exception of the Grand Larceny, Breaking and Entering and Distribution of Narcotics charges.  However, Christopher Kerr is facing 2 additional Counts of Conspiracy to Shoot from Vehicle and 2 Counts of Conspiracy to Shoot at a Residential Building.  Both men are currently incarcerated in the Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond.  This investigation is ongoing and additional charges for the other shootings against both Kerrs will forth coming. A search warrant was executed during the arrests which has resulted in evidence being recovered linking both men to the shootings.

A tip led investigators to the two men, said Kennedy: 

Austin Kerr and Christopher Kerr came to the attention of the Sheriff’s Office thanks to the solid investigation work of the Stafford County Detectives and corroborative tips from local citizens.  Both men were located at a hotel in north Stafford County.  Members of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, Stafford Detectives and the Patrol Division took both men into custody as they were about to leave the hotel, in their vehicle this afternoon, Saturday, February 7, 2015.  They were taken into custody without incident.