STAFFORD, Va. — A man and a woman were arrested Sunday night after a report of gunshots in a restricted no-shoot zone, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reported. The incident occurred at around 9:35 p.m. on Lucas Lane, prompting a response from law enforcement.
Deputy C.T. Richardson arrived on the scene following a call about shots fired, in which the caller reported hearing several gunshots and seeing muzzle flashes near the Garrisonville no-shoot zone. Authorities said that when the deputy arrived, he encountered two individuals emerging from a path between Lucas Lane and Smith Lake Park.
The two suspects, who appeared intoxicated, denied hearing gunshots and suggested the noises could have been fireworks, according to the sheriff’s office. However, a pat-down search revealed each was carrying a handgun despite initially claiming otherwise.
Further investigation uncovered spent cartridges on the male suspect and empty alcoholic containers in his vehicle nearby. Both suspects were subsequently detained and charged with multiple offenses, including public intoxication, reckless handling of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, and discharging a firearm in a no-shoot zone.
Authorities stated that the suspects were taken to Rappahannock Regional Jail and held until they were sober.