Augusta County | Suspect flees after shots fired, schools secured as precaution

The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call in Lyndhurst early this morning after shots were fired at a residence.

No injuries were reported.

According to the ACSO, the suspect, Jose Martinez-Cruz, 41, of Stuarts Draft, fled the area before deputies responded to a residence on Blackford Way just before 7 a.m.

The suspect was located in Stuarts Draft a short time later. He was taken into custody without incident on View Drive.

Martinez-Cruz is being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail.

He has been charged with the following offenses:

• 18.2-279 (F) – Occupied building: maliciously shoot
• 18.2-286.1 (F) – Shoot from a vehicle
• 18.2-371.1 (F) – Six counts of abuse/neglect child: reckless disregard for life
• 18.2-56.1 (M) – Recklessly handling of a firearm
• 18.2-280 (M) – Shoot in public place, no bodily injury
• 18.2-286 (M) – Shoot across road or street

Out of an abundance of caution, all Augusta County schools in Stuarts Draft were placed on a “secure” status while police searched for the suspect.