Crozet
Albemarle County, Virginia
As we first told you here in this Facebook Live video and in our previous story, Albemarle County Police continue their investigation into a shooting that took place on the Harris Teeter parking lot in Crozet Monday afternoon.
Tuesday morning police held another press conference and released more information, including the name of an Afton woman that later passed away from the shooting.
Above a replay from Tuesday morning’s press conference.
“The Albemarle County Police Department would like to provide an update on the shooting incident that occurred February 17, 2025, at the Harris Teeter located in Crozet.
Based on the preliminary investigation, investigators believe that the shooter entered the Harris Teeter parking lot and fired a rifle at the first victim, 43-year-old Peter L. Martin of Crozet, Va., who was exiting the store. Martin was pronounced deceased at the scene.
After shooting Martin, the suspect approached a second victim in their vehicle. That victim has been identified as Diane G. Spangler, 68, of Afton, Va. Spangler was transported to UVA Medical Center in critical condition and later succumbed to the injuries sustained during the shooting.
An off-duty federal law enforcement officer who heard the gunfire and was exiting the Harris Teeter engaged the shooter with their personal weapon. The shooter, identified as Justin M. Barbour, 28, of Crozet, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The off-duty officer was uninjured in the incident.
“Yesterday afternoon, a tragedy struck our community when a lone gunman opened fire in the parking lot of Harris Teeter in Crozet. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this senseless act of violence, as well as to the greater Crozet community,” said Colonel Sean Reeves, Chief of the Albemarle County Police Department. “We owe an immense debt of gratitude to an off-duty Federal Law Enforcement Professional who happened to be at the shopping center when the shooting occurred. This heroic individual selflessly placed themselves in harm’s way to stop the gunman and prevent further loss of life. Without their brave actions, the casualty count could have been much higher.”
Barbour did not have a criminal history but has had prior contact with law enforcement, with the most recent being in January 2025. At this point in the investigation, it is unknown if Barbour had any affiliation to Martin and Spangler prior to the incident.
We ask that anyone who was in the area of the Harris Teeter at the time of the shooting and has not yet spoken with investigators to please contact Detective Holmes at 434-296-5807 or Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000. Even the smallest details may be helpful in our investigation.”
