A black snake found inside the Stafford County Courthouse was safely removed Thursday morning without objection—or appeal.
Deputies discovered the snake slithering down a hallway and quickly intervened. First Sergeant E.D. Chinault apprehended the reptile, humorously dubbed “Rocky Bal-Boa,” and relocated it to nearby woods.
Prince William County police have identified Joseph Anthony Cassell, 26, as the man who died during an officer-involved shooting on April 26, 2025, inside an apartment at Westminster at Lake Ridge Senior Living Home, located at 12191 Clipper Drive. The investigation remains active and is being led by the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). More information will be released when available.
Here’s the full press release:
Two Prince William County police officers were involved in an officer-involved shooting on April 26, 2025, at 9:58 a.m. at the Westminster at Lake Ridge Senior Living Home, located in the 12100 block of Clipper Drive in Woodbridge (22192).
Officers responded to a call about a male in crisis armed with a knife. Upon making contact with the man inside the residence, he approached the officers with the weapon. After the man disregarded commands, the officers discharged their service weapons, firing multiple rounds. Following the initial confrontation, the man attacked a 91-year-old woman, leading the officers to discharge their weapons again.
The Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy graduated its 60th Basic Law Enforcement Session on Friday, April 25, 2025, during a ceremony at Chapel Springs Church in Bristow. The graduating class included 17 Prince William County Police officers and one Prince William County Sheriff’s deputy. Each graduate completed 24 weeks of training in areas such as firearms, use-of-force decision making, driver training, legal training, patrol techniques, criminal investigation, and crash investigation. Police officers typically start with an annual salary of $62,000.
Here’s the full press release:
A Stafford man claiming he was “monkeying around” led deputies on a high-speed pursuit, while a repeat DUI offender struck and injured a motorcyclist before fleeing the scene. In Prince William County, a firearm was brandished in a road rage incident, a teen was charged in a brutal assault, and a man was arrested in a child sex assault investigation.
On April 17 at 12:33 a.m., officers responded to the area of Dale Boulevard and Minnieville Road (22193) after a 21-year-old woman reported being assaulted and robbed by three acquaintances. The suspects allegedly stole clothing and food items from the victim, who sustained minor injuries.
A coordinated search using a police K-9 and a Fairfax County police helicopter led officers to Gum Lane, where all three suspects were detained without incident.
Teen robbed at gunpoint in Woodbridge
Gunshots heard in Dumfries
Dale Blvd & Forestdale Ave (Dale City) – April 2, 2025
A man was shot at during a road rage incident while driving on Dale Blvd. The suspect, described as a Black male in his 30s with dreadlocks, fired multiple rounds before fleeing. The victim’s vehicle was struck, but no injuries were reported. Police are actively searching for the suspect.
Wawa – 13303 Telegraph Rd (Woodbridge) – April 1, 2025
A clerk was held at gunpoint by a masked suspect demanding cash. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and fled on foot. No injuries were reported. The suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 5’10”, wearing all black clothing and a ski mask.
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.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
VANDALISM
