Update : Nellysford : Investigation Continues Into Thursday Night – Shooting – Area Safe – Shooter Dead : Updated 4:45 PM

Copyright 2019 Blue Ridge Life Magazine : Photo By Tommy Stafford : Crime scene tape surrounds a car in front of Wintergreen Fire Department Station 2 in Stoney Creek of Nellysford. A woman who had been shot multiple times drove the car to the fire station seeking help after the shooting. She was airlifted to UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville. February 14, 2019

Nellysford
Nelson County, Virginia

UPDATE in Nelson County Shootings Investigation from VSP : 4:45 PM-Deceased shooter identified

“The Virginia State Police investigation continues into the shootings that occurred overnight at a residence in Nellysford.

The first shooting occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 14) when James C. Saunderson, 47, and a 45-year-old female got into an argument at their residence in the 800 block of Rodes Valley Drive. During the course of the argument, Saunderson began firing a handgun at the female, who was able to flee the residence in her vehicle.

She drove herself to a Wintergreen Fire Department station and was transported to UVA Medical Center. She is still being treated for serious, but non-life threatening, injuries.

The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the residence on Rodes Valley Drive. As the deputies approached the residence, they heard gunshots fired from inside the house.

The Virginia State Police was requested to respond to the scene and set up a perimeter around the house to contain the scene. Despite numerous attempts throughout the night by state police, no contact was made with the individual inside the residence.

A search warrant was obtained for the residence. Upon making entry into the residence Friday morning, the Virginia State Police Tactical Team located Saunderson inside and deceased. A handgun was recovered at the scene. His remains have been transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner for autopsy and examination.

There was no one else inside the residence when Saunderson was found. No law enforcement personnel discharged their weapons during the course of the incident.

The investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Corinne N. Geller

Public Relations Director

Virginia State Police”

Updated 7:45 AM

VSP release verbatim below:

“The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office is investigating two shootings that took place at a residence in the Stoney Creek community of Nelson County. 

Updated 6:15 AM – 2.15.19

Area safe. Apparent shooter found dead. More details to released by VSP soon.

Updated at 2:30 AM : 2.15.19

The investigation continues into a bizarre scenario that unfolded Thursday night between and 8 and 9:00 PM. BRL first broke the story (in this post) about a woman that showed up at the front entrance of WFD Station 2 in Stoney Creek after being shot multiple times. Once emergency personnel found out the woman was there she was treated, transported to a waiting helicopter and flown to UVa Medical Center.

“A woman in her mid 40’s drove to the Wintergreen Fire Station in Stoney Creek. She had been shot multiple times. She is not a resident of Stoney Creek. We do not know the exact shooting location. She was flown to UVA Medical Center. The suspect is still at large as far as we know,” Jay Roberts – Executive Director of Wintergreen Property Owners Association told us Thursday night shortly after the shooting. Roberts and WPOA oversee police and fire operations in Stoney Creek and Wintergreen.

Above our original video post shortly after learning of the shooting

In the very early morning hours on Friday – February 15, 2019 BRL learned that law enforcement had gathered around a house in Stoney Creek where the suspect is believed to have possibly been inside. Neighbors in the area reported an extremely heavy police presence consisting of large numbers of Virginia State Police as well as Nelson Sheriff’s officers and additional officers from Wintergreen Police. As of 2:30 AM when this post was made on our site, no law enforcement updates had been given as to whether a suspect was at large or if the situation had been secured.

We will continue to update this story as we have additional information.