Three young men are dead, and four others — including three juveniles — now face charges following a violent shooting tied to an illegal gun sale and robbery in Spotsylvania County.
The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office announced today that investigators have charged four individuals with Malicious Wounding, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, and Unlawful Assembly. The suspects include two 16-year-olds, a 17-year-old, and 18-year-old Jeremiah Upson, whose photo was released by the Sheriff’s Office. One of the 16-year-olds is currently being treated at a local hospital for a gunshot wound and will be taken into custody upon discharge.
According to Major Elizabeth Scott, two of the suspects are from Spotsylvania County, and the other two are residents of Caroline County. Three of the suspects are currently being held without bond.
The incident unfolded around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, when deputies responded to reports of a shooting in the area of Olde Greenwich Circle, just outside Fredericksburg. Upon arrival, law enforcement found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
The victims were identified as:
- Chase Feaster, 18, of Spotsylvania County
- Alonzo Goffney, 18, of Spotsylvania County
- A 20-year-old male whose identity is being withheld pending confirmation by the Medical Examiner’s Office
- Three additional individuals were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
Investigators say the shooting stemmed from an illegal gun transaction that escalated into a robbery. “We commend our detectives on bringing this tragedy to a closure,” said Major Scott. She also thanked the Fredericksburg Police Department and the Virginia State Police for their assistance, along with community members who provided support during what she described as a “stressful and heartbreaking” time.
The incident prompted Fredericksburg City Public Schools to operate on a two-hour delay today, April 9, out of an abundance of caution.
The investigation remains active, and authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward.
This is a developing story. Check back with Potomac Local News for updates.
Fredericksburg City Public Schools will open two hours late on Wednesday, April 9, in response to a mass shooting that left three people dead and three others hospitalized Tuesday evening in neighboring Spotsylvania County.
School officials announced the delayed opening late Tuesday, citing the “profound impact this incident has had on members of our school community.”
“We appreciate your understanding and support as we navigate this together,” the division said in a statement.
The shooting occurred around 5:30 p.m. in the area of Olde Greenwich Circle, just off Lafayette Boulevard. Deputies with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire and found six people suffering from gunshot wounds. Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while three others were taken to area hospitals. Their conditions have not been released.
Law enforcement officials say the investigation remains “active and fluid,” and no suspects have been arrested. A large police presence continues in the area as detectives work to determine what led to the deadly shooting.
“We are urging members of the public to avoid the Olde Greenwich Circle area while our investigation continues,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
The names and ages of the victims have not been released.
Potomac Local News will continue to follow this developing story.
A new agreement between the City of Fredericksburg and its public school system will open school gymnasiums and facilities to the public, expanding access to recreation programs for children, teens, and families.
On Tuesday night, City Council unanimously approved a shared-use agreement with Fredericksburg City Public Schools that gives the Parks, Recreation, and Events Department expanded access to school buildings, including the former Walker-Grant School, now Gladys West Elementary.
The agreement allows the city to use the facility from 4 to 10 p.m. on weekdays and weekends for programs ranging from youth athletics to teen engagement initiatives.
“This really opens up an opportunity for us to expand our programming—not only to take care of existing needs and waitlists, but also to reach different audiences, such as teens and after-school activities,” said Todd Brown, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Events.
Brown first floated the idea a year ago when speaking with city leaders. “If I just had a gym, I could do programming from 5 a.m. to midnight,” Brown said, echoing his conversation with Councilor Jannan Holmes.
Mayor Kerry P. Devine praised the agreement, calling it a “great shared use of space” that will put underutilized facilities to work during non-school hours. “It allows the facility to be used more extensively by the public in the after-school hours,” she said. “Our goal is to make sure our teens are occupied in productive ways.”
Councilor Jonathan A. Gerlach reflected on his experience with summer basketball programs and stressed how important they can be in shaping young lives. “Some of us got scholarships to play ball in college. Who knows if we would’ve gotten those opportunities without a summer program?” he said.
Vice-Mayor Charlie L. Frye, Jr. connected the agreement to broader budget concerns. “We’re making moves in the city to take care of what we need to do right now,” he said. “It shows the point that we still need a recreation facility, but this agreement helps bridge the gap.”
Councilors applauded the collaboration between the city and the school division, noting that sharing facilities is a smart way to maximize taxpayer investment without building new infrastructure.
The new Gladys West Elementary School will replace the aging Walker-Grant building as part of a facilities realignment in the city. With younger students not using the gymnasium space in the evenings, the city will now use it to benefit the broader community.
“This is a win-win for Fredericksburg,” said Holmes. “It gives our residents access to more resources and shows what’s possible when departments work together.”
At 5:05 p.m., the Fredericksburg Police Department announced Fasihullah’s arrest.
“We want to thank the public for your patience and assistance,” the department stated.
The closure of schools Friday was a precautionary measure after the FBI’s Washington Field Office informed Fredericksburg Police on Thursday evening that Fasihullah may be in the city. Local authorities recognized the teen from the March 19 incident at the high school, where he fled the campus after being approached by a School Resource Officer.
Working with the FBI, police followed numerous leads throughout the day Friday, all of which initially turned up empty. Investigators believe Fasihullah stole a vehicle in Stafford County late Thursday evening, which was later recovered out of state on Friday afternoon.
Despite the heightened concern, police said their investigation found no direct threat to the Fredericksburg City Public School system.
Fasihullah had been wanted for trespassing on school property, and his presence on campus earlier in the week raised concerns due to his mental state and status as a missing person from Northern Virginia.
Fredericksburg City Public Schools serves around 3,700 students across five schools:
Walker-Grant Early Childhood Learning Center
Lafayette Elementary School
Walker-Grant Elementary Campus
Walker-Grant Middle School
James Monroe High School
It remains unclear whether schools will reopen Monday. The school division has not yet issued an updated statement.
This is a developing story. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
Fredericksburg City Manager Tim Baroody presented the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget proposal to the City Council on March 11. The proposal outline a $136.75 million spending plan to strengthen public schools, upgrade infrastructure, and ensure long-term financial stability.
The proposal includes a three-cent real estate tax increase to fund these initiatives, bringing the rate from $0.77 to $0.80 per $100 of assessed value. This tax hike is expected to generate additional revenue while helping to fund essential services such as a new middle school, a fire station, and water system upgrades.
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In mid-February, Peter Mealy headed to the Walker Grant Middle School PTA meeting in Fredericksburg to speak about his latest venture teaching guitar to students after school at Walker Grant and hopefully enlarging the program in one form or another.
Mealy is a well-known musician around Fredericksburg, and if he can use the guitar in a positive fashion then so can students who learn it in middle or high school. “Then they have a skill for life,” he said, stressing that it’s not going to cost the school system a huge chunk of money for something that might deliver a huge chunk of benefits for the students.Â
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A winter storm bringing snow and strong winds will force schools in Stafford County, Fredericksburg City, and Spotsylvania County to close on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
Stafford County Public Schools will be closed, with all 12-month staff operating on a two-hour delay. As a result of this closure, Friday, March 21, 2025, will now be a regular, full instructional day for students to make up for the lost classroom time.
Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) will also be closed on February 20. It will be a Code Blue/Remote Learning Day. Students should not report to school but should participate in teacher-planned learning opportunities. All employees should work from home. Essential workers should contact their supervisor for report times.
All Spotsylvania County Public Schools are closed Thursday, February 20, 2025. CODE 3: Remote learning day for students. 12-month employees CODE 1.
Weather ForecastÂ
According to the National Weather Service, a widespread band of snow showers is expected to push through the region Thursday morning, coinciding with the morning rush hour. This precipitation is associated with a potent upper-level trough moving through the area in the afternoon. Light snow accumulations are likely, with most areas expected to see less than an inch. However, given the frigid temperatures—ranging from the teens to the low 20s—slick spots on roads could create hazardous commuting conditions. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued.
Winds will increase significantly as the system departs Thursday afternoon, with gusts reaching 30 to 50 mph, particularly in higher elevations. While wind advisories have not yet been issued, further updates may be necessary. Wind chills may approach Cold Weather Advisory criteria along the Allegheny Ridge, prompting additional weather precautions.
Parents and staff are encouraged to monitor official school communications for any further updates regarding schedule changes or additional closures.
Schools across the region will be closed on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, as a winter storm moves through the area, bringing snow and hazardous travel conditions.
King George County Schools will be closed and have designated the day as an Asynchronous Learning Day. 12-month employees are expected to report to work on time.
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Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) has initiated the search for a new principal for Hugh Mercer Elementary School, following the transition of current Principal James Snyder to a division-level role focusing on facilities and operations. Effective February 14, 2025, Courtney Wheeler will assume the position of Interim Principal at Hugh Mercer Elementary.
Wheeler’s extensive experience within FCPS includes serving as principal of Lafayette Elementary School until December 2024 and being appointed as principal of Gladys West Elementary School in August 2024. She began preparations in January 2025 to open Gladys West Elementary, the division’s third elementary school, scheduled to welcome students this fall.
A 2007 graduate of UVA Wise with a degree in education and endorsements in elementary education and middle school history, mathematics, and science, Wheeler spent nine years teaching in Spotsylvania before joining FCPS. Within the division, she has held roles as both teacher and administrator at Lafayette and Hugh Mercer Elementary Schools, ascending to the principalship at Lafayette in 2019.
Snyder’s new responsibilities in facilities and operations come at a pivotal time for FCPS. The division is actively working to open a new middle school in Idlewild and repurpose the current Walker-Grant Middle School into an elementary facility. Additionally, efforts are underway to develop new Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, including the creation of associated learning spaces. The division is also exploring solar roof initiatives and planning for a new transportation and maintenance facility. Future considerations include the utilization of the historic 1935 building.
FCPS serves approximately 3,575 students across five schools:
- Hugh Mercer Elementary School
- Lafayette Elementary School
- Walker-Grant Early Childhood Learning Center
- Walker-Grant Middle School
- James Monroe High School
Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) will soon embark on a new initiative to expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) student opportunities, thanks to a $1 million donation from the Silver Companies. Founded in Fredericksburg and now headquartered in Florida, the regional real estate company has pledged the investment to help build a new CTE Center, set to be named after Larry D. Silver, the company's founder and a graduate of James Monroe High School.
The Fredericksburg Education Foundation will hold the funds until the concept for the new CTE Center is fully developed and the facility is constructed. This donation is part of an ongoing effort by FCPS to enhance its career training offerings, focusing on areas such as criminal justice, culinary arts, emergency medicine, trades like HVAC and plumbing, and many more.
