Three Killed & Four Injured at Louisa County Shootings
Virginia State Police and Louisa County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a shooting incident that has claimed three lives and left four others injured in Louisa County. The shooting suspect is among the dead. The motive for the initial shootings is domestic in nature and stems from an ongoing dispute among family members over property rights.
At approximately 2 p.m., the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office received a call for a domestic dispute at a residence in the 100 block of Twigg Drive in the Louisa County community of Trevilians. Two deputy sheriffs responded, and addressed and resolved the matter. The deputies then left the residence.
However, the family dispute escalated during the course of the afternoon. Between 4:45 p.m. and 4:50 p.m., Charles P. Steadman Sponaugle, 52, of Louisa County, retrieved a .22-caliber semi-automatic target pistol and proceeded to shoot six of his family members.
Within a matter of minutes, two people were dead and four others injured. During the course of the shooting at 4:52 p.m., a 911 call came in to the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office about shots being fired. Two deputy sheriffs were immediately dispatched and arrived at 4:58 p.m. to the 100 block of Twigg Drive.
Upon arrival, the two deputies were confronted with an active-shooter situation. When Sponaugle began shooting at the deputies, they returned fire. Sponaugle was shot and died at the scene. Sponaugle had also released his dog to attack a Louisa County Sheriff’s Office canine that had responded to the initial shooting call. Fortunately, neither deputy nor the police canine was injured in the shooting.
Sponaugle shot and killed his son, Charles P. Steadman Jr., 29, and his nephew, Mark A. Cooper Jr., 23. Both died at the scene.
Shot and injured by Sponaugle were Kitty L. Cooper, 41; Mark A. Cooper Sr., 45; Jerrell A. Steadman Jr., 26; and Jason C. Steadman, 27. The Coopers and Gerald Steadman were transported by ambulance to UVA Hospital in Charlottesville. Jason Steadman was flown to UVA Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
Sponaugle and Kitty Cooper are brother and sister. Kitty and Mark Cooper Sr. are married. Their son is Mark A. Cooper Jr. Gerald and Jason Steadman, who are cousins, are Sponaugle’s nephews.
Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Richmond Field Office is investigating both the initial shooting involving the six shooting victims, and the officer-related shooting. The investigation remains ongoing.
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Posted by admin
on Aug 23 2010. Filed under Richmond News.
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