Father, 6-year-old son drown in Rappahannock River
A spring break outing turned tragic when a father and his 6-year-old son drowned in the Rappahannock River in Spotsylvania County.
Danny Sumner and his young son went to a boat landing off Legacy Lane on Saturday, March 22, sometime before 5 p.m. They were reported missing when they didn’t return home by 9:45 p.m. Deputies responding to the scene found Sumner’s vehicle and cell phone near the dock. Shortly after the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office Dive Team entered the water, they recovered both victims.
Investigators say the child, who had just caught a fish, fell into the river. His father jumped in to save him but drowned in the attempt.
The child was enrolled in Spotsylvania County Public Schools. Officials say counseling will be made available.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that the area where they entered the water is not a public boat ramp. The Rappahannock River is tidal and unpredictable. At the time of the incident, the water was 9 feet deep and 52 degrees cold.
There is no evidence of foul play.
Fredericksburg Police
Man arrested after exposing himself to Girl Scouts, masturbating in coffee shop
Fredericksburg Police arrested 28-year-old Terrence Bernard Rock Graham after a series of disturbing incidents on March 29.
Witnesses say Graham exposed himself to a group of Girl Scouts selling cookies. A bystander told him to leave, and he fled on a bicycle. Later, he inappropriately grabbed a restaurant employee at J. Brian’s while helping with a flag, then returned trying to speak with her again. Finally, he was caught masturbating inside a downtown coffee shop next to two female patrons.
Graham, who has no fixed address, was arrested nearby and is being held without bond. He faces multiple charges:
- Indecent Exposure
- Actual or Simulated Masturbation in Public
- Sexual Battery
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Fredericksburg Police at 540-373-3122 or text “FPDtip” to 847-411.
Additional Fredericksburg incidents
- Theft from motor vehicles was reported on West Kensington Circle and Woodland Road.
- Wallet thefts occurred at Panera Bread on Carl D. Silver Parkway.
- Vandalism to a car was reported on Keeneland Road.
Notable arrests include charges for malicious wounding, firearm possession by a felon, drug possession, multiple shoplifting incidents, and several family-related assaults. A full list of names and charges is available from the department.
Prince William County Police
Armed robbery suspect arrested
Deontae Terrell Galitan, 21, of Woodbridge, was arrested March 29 in connection with an armed robbery at the 7-Eleven on Dumfries Road earlier that month. He brandished a firearm and stole cash before fleeing. He was served with charges while already incarcerated on unrelated matters.
Gun brandished at teen in Manassas
On April 1, a 17-year-old boy was approached by two masked suspects on Winchester Court near Irongate Way. One suspect pulled a firearm during a brief confrontation before they separated. No one was hurt. The suspects were dressed in all dark clothing.
Swastika found at Patriot High School
A school resource officer reported a swastika drawn inside a classroom dictionary on March 26. The incident, reported two days later, did not contain threats or additional markings.
Anyone with tips is asked to contact Prince William County Police at 703-792-7000 or visit pwcva.gov/policetip.
Stafford County Sheriff’s Office
DUI crash leads to assault on rescue staff
On April 1 at 8:11 p.m., Stanley Oliver Jr., 61, of Warrenton, was a passenger in a Dodge Charger that crashed into a tractor-trailer near Warrenton and Cedar Grove roads. Police say Oliver, intoxicated, grabbed the steering wheel, causing the crash. The vehicle also carried a juvenile.
During a search, deputies found suspected controlled substances. While being transported in an ambulance, Oliver became aggressive and assaulted Fire and Rescue staff. No one was hurt.
Oliver was charged with:
- DUI
- Possession of controlled substances
- 3 counts of assault on rescue staff
- Child neglect
- Interfering with driver control
- Driving without a license
He is being held without bond.
Other Stafford incidents
- Public intoxication at Lowe’s on Stafford Market Place resulted in a nighttime arrest.
- Threatening texts reported by a woman on Providence Street from an ex-boyfriend since January.
- Vandalism at Paddy’s Steakhouse, where a window was shattered and glass neatly swept into a pile.
- Another vandalism involved a smashed vehicle window on Spring Lake Drive.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office at 540-658-4450.
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