The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to report suspicious drone activity after reports of unidentified drones flying over parts of Stafford County, King George County, and Spotsylvania County. The nighttime sightings, reported on December 11, 2024, were made to Stafford’s emergency dispatch center.

Stafford County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Ryan Wilbur stated that federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), have been informed and are working with local authorities to investigate the incidents. However, descriptions of the drones or their operators have not been provided.


Press Release from Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office:

On December 5, 2024, at approximately 1:40 pm, deputies with the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Patriot Highway and Orchard Ridge Drive for a report of a motor vehicle crash. Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office Traffic Reconstruction Unit responded to the crash scene. Preliminary investigation shows that a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado operated by William Aimino was traveling north on Patriot Highway, and crossed over the centerline of the roadway into opposing lanes of traffic, causing a head-on crash with a 2005 International flatbed truck. Mr. Aimino was pronounced deceased on the scene and was found to be wearing his seatbelt. Mr. Aimino’s next of kin has been notified. The case is still under investigation by the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office Traffic Reconstruction Unit. Sheriff Roger Harris and the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office extend their condolences to Mr. Aimino’s family and friends for their loss.


A fire at the Eagle Village Shopping Center yesterday damaged two businesses and disrupted several others. Play It Again Sports and A Stitch in Time sustained significant fire damage, while adjacent businesses, including the U.S. Post Office, a laundromat, and Perfect 10 Nail Salon, experienced smoke and heat exposure but no flames. The fire, reported at 12:43 p.m., was controlled in approximately 35 minutes by a team of 50 firefighters.

Crews from the Fredericksburg Fire Department, Spotsylvania County Fire, Stafford County Fire-Rescue, King George Emergency Services, and an ambulance from the Naval District of Washington worked together to extinguish the blaze. The cold, brisk wind spread the flames across the roof, which had a styrofoam insulation and rubber membrane structure that complicated firefighting efforts. Firefighters had to cut through the roof membrane over five stores to ensure the flames were fully extinguished.


Update 9 a.m. Friday, December 6, 2024 — Fire crews monitored the scene overnight and will continue overhaul operations with daylight to fully extinguish the fire, as Fire Marshals investigate the cause. Both structures sustained major damage, and one employee of Kid’s Choice Sports Center was treated for a non-life-threatening injury; no firefighters were injured.

From fire and rescue:


A fire broke out at the Eagle Village Shopping Center, located at 1245 Emancipation Highway in Fredericksburg, at 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2024.

The Fredericksburg Fire and Rescue Department responded to the scene, with additional assistance from Stafford County Fire and Rescue, Spotsylvania Fire and Rescue, King George Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management, and Naval District Washington (NDW) Dahlgren.


Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene to find the female suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and, according to a release from the Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, provided “immediate medical attention.” Fire and Rescue transported the female to a nearby hospital, where she remains in critical but stable condition.

The case is currently being investigated and does not appear to be a random act of violence, according to the Thursday release. Those with information can contact the Sheriff’s Office by calling 800-928-5822 or 540-582-5822 and visiting them online.


Update 7:50 p.m. — Prince William County police have identified Michael David Burke, 58, as the man who died in an officer-involved shooting on December 5 in Woodbridge.

Police did not say where the man was from.


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