Yesterday, just after 4:00 p.m. deputies responded to the Park Ridge Community Pool on Parkway Boulevard for a report of a shooting. Deputy C.C. Crossett and Deputy J.W. McAlister were first to arrive and located a 15-year-old male who had a gunshot wound to his back. They began first aid and the 15-year-old was flown to a nearby hospital to be treated for his serious, but non-life-threatening injury. Out of an abundance of caution, H.H. Poole Middle School, Park Ridge Elementary School, the Merit School of Stafford, and Porter Library were placed on full lockdown, while North Stafford High School was placed on a partial lockdown.

Deputy S.T. Myers and his K-9 partner, Gunner, were able to conduct a track through the woods. Two individuals, both 17-year-old males from Woodbridge, were found hiding in a shed on Boodocks Lane. One of the individuals located had a gunshot wound to his leg. He was transported to the hospital to be treated for his injury, and was later released to deputies. The second individual was detained and transported to the Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies recognized the inherent danger of firearms being discarded in the area and conducted extensive searches through the woods. Finally, after approximately three hours of searching, three handguns were located nearby by Detective J.R. Scott and Detective R. Mervil. Excellent work by those on the scene in locating the handguns.

Our detectives have been working throughout the night and into the morning on this investigation. While it is still the early stages of our investigation, it is believed the two Woodbridge suspects traveled to Stafford where they encountered the 15-year-old. A struggle ensued between the three individuals, resulting in shots being fired.

The 17-year-old Woodbridge suspect who was shot in the leg has been charged with aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The other 17-year-old Woodbridge suspect was charged with possession of a firearm by a minor, and grand larceny of a firearm. Both are currently being held at the Juvenile Detention Center. This is still an ongoing investigation and more charges may be obtained.

Detectives are working to uncover how these juveniles got to be in possession of these firearms. The 15-year-old is still being treated for his injuries. We would like to thank our partners at Stafford County Public Schools for their quick response in locking down the schools. Great work to our deputies and detectives for their quick response to an all hands incident.

If anyone in the area has video of what happened or has any information, please contact Detective N.D. Ridings at 540-658-4400.