Albemarle County Police are still trying to piece together the details of the Monday afternoon shooting outside the Harris Teeter in Crozet that we now know took the lives of three people, including the shooter.
“Yesterday afternoon, a tragedy struck our community when a lone gunman opened fire in the parking lot of Harris Teeter in Crozet. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this senseless act of violence, as well as to the greater Crozet community,” said Col. Sean Reeves, chief of the Albemarle County Police Department.
Police identified the shooter as Justin M. Barbour, 28, of Crozet, who they say had did not have a criminal history, but “had prior contact with law enforcement,” according to a news release from the ACPD, with the most recent being in January.
According to police, Barbour entered the parking lot and fired a rifle at the first victim, Peter L. Martin, 43, of Crozet, who was exiting the store.
Martin was pronounced deceased at the scene.
After shooting Martin, Barbour approached a second victim who was in her vehicle. That victim has been identified as Diane G. Spangler, 68, of Afton.
Spangler was transported in critical condition to UVA Medical Center, and later succumbed to the injuries sustained during the shooting.
An off-duty federal law enforcement officer who heard the gunfire and was exiting the Harris Teeter engaged the shooter with their personal weapon.
Barbour was struck, and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The off-duty officer, who hasn’t been publicly identified, was uninjured in the incident.
“This heroic individual selflessly placed themselves in harm’s way to stop the gunman and prevent further loss of life. Without their brave actions, the casualty count could have been much higher,” Reeves said.
At this point in the investigation, it is unknown if Barbour had any affiliation to Martin and Spangler prior to the incident.
Police are requesting that anyone who was in the area of the Harris Teeter at the time of the shooting and has not yet spoken with investigators to contact Detective Holmes at 434-296-5807 or Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000.
Even the smallest details may be helpful in our investigation.
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Chris Graham
