Chaos in Virginia: 3 Dead, 3 Injured in Mass Shooting—Suspects Still at Large

 

A quiet evening in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, turned into a scene of tragedy and chaos on Tuesday when gunfire erupted at a townhouse complex, leaving three people dead and three others injured. The chilling attack, which occurred just outside Fredericksburg around 5:30 p.m., has left a community shaken—and at least one suspect still on the run.

Gunfire in the Suburbs

According to Maj. Elizabeth Scott of the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office, multiple 911 calls reported the shooting, prompting a massive law enforcement response. Authorities are currently pursuing leads, warning that more than one shooter may have been involved.

“There’s dozens upon dozens of officers out actively looking for suspects and preserving the crime scene,” Scott said during a press briefing, vowing that investigators will be on-site "all night" until the perpetrators are found.

All six victims were discovered outside the complex. The three injured individuals were rushed to local hospitals with gunshot wounds, but no immediate details about their conditions have been released.

A Community on Edge

Residents in the area were urged to stay indoors as police scoured the neighborhood for any trace of the shooters. No arrests have been made, and officials have not publicly disclosed a motive for the attack.

Fredericksburg City Public Schools announced a two-hour delay for Wednesday classes, citing the "profound impact" the shooting had on members of the school community.

“This delay will allow us the necessary time to prepare our buildings and staff to welcome students with the care and support they may need during this difficult time,” the district stated.

Help Needed

Authorities are asking anyone with video footage or firsthand accounts of the shooting to come forward. Investigators hope that community-sourced media could hold the key to identifying the attackers and understanding what led to this tragic burst of violence.

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As the manhunt continues and families wait for answers, the Spotsylvania shooting serves as yet another painful reminder of the gun violence crisis unfolding across the U.S.—even in suburban communities that never thought it could happen to them. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.