Woman Killed In Spotsylvania, Son Charged With Murder: Police

Fredericksburg VA

20 September, 2021

12:31 PM

Description

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA — A woman was killed in one of three separate shootings reported in Spotsylvania County since Thursday, according to the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office. Suspects were identified and taken into custody in connection with two of the shootings, police said. The fatal shooting was reported to police at 12:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 18. Deputies responded to the scene of the incident, which they said was in the 6100 block of Pondoley Drive in the Oak Grove subdivision. There, deputies found a woman laying in a driveway with a gunshot wound to the upper body, according to the sheriff's office. Paramedics also arrived on the scene and attempted to perform life-saving measures, but the woman died as a result of her injuries, police said. Authorities identified the victim as Latoya Acree, a 41-year-old Spotsylvania resident. The sheriff's office identified a suspect and located him nearby hotel in Four Mile Fork. He was taken into custody without further incident. The suspect was identified as Elijah Smith, Acree's son. Authorities believe that an argument between the two family members led to the shooting. Smith was charged with second degree murder and is being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. Another shooting was reported to police at 11:45 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17. Deputies received multiple calls noting shots fired at Durango's Grill on Plank Road. "Deputies arrived within minutes and found where several dozen rounds of gunfire erupted in the parking lot between several suspects," the sheriff's office said. "Initially, it was reported that someone was shot, but deputies were unable to locate anyone with injuries." No suspects have been identified in the shooting, which caused "extensive" damage to nearby vehicles and businesses, according to the sheriff's office. The final shooting around 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16 in the 5000 block of Norris Drive. A home in the Maple Grove subdivision was shot multiple times, police said. Authorities determined that the occupants of the home knew the shooter, who police identified as Julius Ferguson. Ferguson turned himself in to police and is now being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. Anyone with more information about the incidents is encouraged to contact authorities by calling 1-800-928-5822 or texting 540-582-5822.