UPDATE 2: Suspect arrested in shooting at West Side Grocery
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Police investiage robbery at Westside Grocery
Police investigate an armed robbery at Westside Grocery.
Police direct traffic near the scene of a shooting at West Side Grocery this morning
Published: November 4, 2009
Updated: November 4, 2009
UPDATED AT 4:23 P.M.
Culpeper law enforcement officials have arrested a suspect in connection with an armed robbery and shooting that occurred this morning at the West Side Grocery on Sperryville Pike.
Town spokesman Wally Bunker said the male suspect was arrested in the 500 block of 4th Street this afternoon. Bunker said charges are pending and that police are not releasing the sus-pect’s identity until charges have been filed.
Bunker said sheriff’s deputies and the Virginia State Police assisted town officers in the search for the lone gunman.
A deputy spotted the suspect on Virginia Avenue about noon, and he was detained for further investigation. A sawed off shotgun used in the robbery and discarded clothing were also recovered in the vicinity, along Second Street and Fourth Street.
Capt. Ricky Pinksaw said the incident began around 10:22 this morning, when the gunman, wearing a red bandana over his face, a ball cap and green army field jacket, pulled the gun on the 49-year-old clerk and demanded money. Pinksaw said the clerk complied and gave the suspect an undetermined amount of cash.
Authorities say it’s unclear exactly what happened next, but at some point during the incident, the store employee sprayed the suspect with mace and the suspect shot the store clerk in the arm. The robber then fled on foot behind the store. Another customer came to the aid of the wounded clerk, applying pressure to his bleeding arm.
Pinksaw said the victim was flown to the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, where he is undergoing emergency surgery this afternoon.
Pinksaw described the victim’s injuries as serious, but non-life threatening.
Police K9 units and a helicopter were called to the scene to assist in the search. The helicopter touched down at least once in the park, as skaters and joggers looked on.
“There was a tremendous cooperative response by the sheriff’s department and the state police that helped take the suspect into custody quickly,” said Pinksaw.
Firefighters from Culpeper and Salem were also called to assist by ventilating the building of the mace, to allow the police to begin their investigation.
Traffic slowed through the area near Yowell Elementary School as town, county and state police set up the crime scene and talked to possible witnesses.
The school, located just a few miles north of the store, was put on modified lockdown around 11 a.m.
Pearl Jamison, deputy clerk for Culpeper County Public Schools, said the other nine schools were asked to keep students inside during recess and to modify their locked doors. At no time were students or staff in any immediate danger, but these measures were taken as a precaution, the school system said in a statement.
Deputies carrying guns were seen canvassing the area in the vicinity of the store, apparently looking for the shooting suspect. The area behind West Side
Grocery spans the 48-acre park and leads into Lakeview, a newer development with hundreds of homes.
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Reader Reactions
Culpeper,
Thanks for the comments. I Have had similar comments made to me by officials who job I am questioning. I have chosen to let that give me the drive to push harder. That is me. Not everyone feels the same. We have had the benefit of fellow neighbors standing with us. It is an effort that can never be completed, but always be challenged. We work to hard to allow criminals and their schemes go unchecked. Best of luck to you, and if you would like to attend the next meeting, let me know
Well Termite. I applaud your optimism. I didn’t get the word until after 4, so I won’t be at the meeting. I don’t know if it matters that I live in the county rather than town anyway. But I’ve been there, done that, at town hall meetings and such. I didn’t see a change. I used to have a tie in to DEA and when I would pass info along there, I saw things happen. A few years back I spoke to a former Sheriff, but the Sheriff himself, about a chronic problem in my area and he looked right at me and said, “Well, what do you want me to do about it?“, like it wasn’t even his job. I’ve been dismissed enough that I don’t have the time or energy to waste anymore. I hope that you will have better luck than I did.
Culpeper, My comments were very plain to understand. Get involved with others. Build relationships with neighbors. Join forces with those you have established shared concerns. Attend meetings and learn how to best approach the subject. Do not try to attack the problem by yourself. It is very frustrating to try and feel as if those efforts are ignored. When those in athority are approached in a rational and concise fashion by a group representing a particular area of our community, it changes the dynamics of their response. Being accountable to organized efforts generally motivates people better than a single resident can. I am sure that their are others in your area who share your concern. It seems to me that you are capable of lead an effort to start real change. Remember, patience and consistant efforts will gradually win. Keeping your expectations realistic also helps. Giving up as you have said you have, will only lead to further frustration. We have seen in our area, steady and distinct changes. It has taken years. Some of the results are, services (lighting, signage, etc..), Contractors asking our opinion prior to finalizing designs for commercial locations in our area, added law enforcement efforts to battle the drug and criminal influence in our area, and much more. What has this cost us. We hold monthly meetings, we attend and speak at public forums. We keep in contact with the powers that be on a regular basis. I applaude your desire to try. I recommend that you consider some of my suggestions. If anyone would like to attend a real neighborhood watch, we will be meeting at 4:00 today (Sunday). Just stop by 202 Monticello Ave (the meeting will be across the street) We live directly behind Westover. There will be an officer there to discuss what happened and anwser questions. Understand, this is a business meeting, it is conducted as such. Hope to see you and any other concerned citizens there.
Termite, I can’t do anything about a store selling drugs. Shall I run inside and shout, “Citizen’s arrest”, like Barney Fife? I wouldn’t step foot in the store. I see who comes and goes from there on a regular basis. I have done my share of letting the police and sherrif’s dept. know many observations I’ve had over the years around town and in the county. I’ve named names. They don’t care, I’m telling you, what I’ve seen. I gave up wasting my time notifying proper authorities a long time ago. I do want to make the other citizens of Culpeper aware however. They care.
Well, folks…I think it is time for me to bow out of this discussion. I just want to say, as I have previously that I love Culpeper, and I care what happens there. Although I no longer live there, I was born and raised in Brandy Station and my roots were planted there several generations ago. However when someone comes along and exercises editorial license to the point of insults and offensiveness then the best thing to do is leave. I wish you all good luck with your problems and you all do have them, as we, where I live, do also. I don’t know the answers, and have never professed to, but I know you’re good people and I hope that you can work it out. You’re each right even though you have different points of view but that’s OK too. So enjoy this and be safe.
rjma…Aren’t we all speculating?...You included. Don’t come at me with such a question. I am as decent as any other poster here who has made the same or similar remarks as I have or have not made. We are all concerned for the clerk but if Westside has the reputation that seems to be talked about in this forum then there will be speculation. I believe I said “IF”, IF, IF, paraphernalia were being sold there is a good chance. I made NO accusation nor did I do more than speculate and used the word “speculatively” when did speculation become illegal??? Save your do-gooder remarks for someone else. I’m not interested in your ideas.
Why expend energy on so msny rabbit trails? One reason is because it gives some a feeling of doing something about the issues that concern them without much personal cost or effort. Another reason is because some get tunnel vision and can’t see beyond their own personal predjudices or view points. Many statements have good points supported by irrational comments. Mostly, the comments will have no effect on the issues brought forth. If you want to have a voice with the ability to see actions result, you need to put positive action behind your comments. We started these blogs over a armed robbery and the conditions in the neighborhood behind the store. This is not about illegal immigrants (though that is a valid issue needing balanced conversation), this is not about personal greivances about the business conducted legally or illegally at Westside (Though worthy of further discussion). This is about public safety and what we as local citizens can do to effect change in our respective neighborhoods. As you become involved in your neighboorhood organizations, you will have venues to discuss and formulate constructive actions to deal with the aboved mentioned issue and more. If you really want to see change, you must become involved. It takes time and serious efforts. You gain stronger and deeper friendships with neighbors and build a strong concensus of citizens who then can approach the powers that be to see change. So I guess that is my challenge and request to those blogging here. Are you going to put actions behind your heartfelt words? Or are they simply going to remain one persons opinion. If you have time to read these blogs and respond, do you have time to put actions behind your views. I respect and enjoy most comments made here. Remember caring is an action word.
rjma - I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say we’re all concerned about the man who was shot. This is not about him. It is about what prompted the robbery, the shooting, why Westside? I’m saying it’s because the place sells paraphernalia and drugs. I don’t know who there is selling, but somebody is. Word is, there is pot and cocaine sold out of that store. Oh yea, and cigarettes to minors.
Why does this conversation keep going back to Mexicans? It wasn’t a Mexican that robbed the Westside. It was a white boy! This occurrence has NOTHING to do with Mexico, Mexicans, illegal immigrants, fences, 7/11, etc.
The problem with everyone’s opinion and reaction to all that has been discussed here is simple: it requires no effort on your individual parts.
Those that seem on the side of the “law” get to act haughty; like a new Steelers fan last February.
The others want someone else to step up and relieve them of their problems.
The stance that a true citizen of the Republic that is United States is supposed to take is: minimal amount of government involvement, protect the free market, and protect everyone’s individual liberties. Save for business ventures, one group can not tell another group what they can and can not do.
Just because you get to feel right does not mean you are right. Just because you get to watch as people are summoned to court, disarmed at the door, and brought before some lofty robed codger doesn’t mean anything.
Just beacuse you are made to feel wrong does not mean that you are wrong.
Has anyone bothered to tell the Mexicans that we don’t want them here? Does anyone want to stand out there one morning with me and confront the people that are hiring these illegals?
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