No suspects in Amherst County killing
PHOTO BY TERRY TODD
Justin Baumgardner, of Monroe, was found in a 1994 Chevrolet pickup truck early Sunday morning in this driveway.
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By Annie McCallum
Published: May 5, 2008
A 2007 Amherst County High School graduate was found fatally shot Sunday morning. On Monday evening, authorities still had few details.
“The only thing I can tell you right now is we have a 19-year-old victim,” said Jimmy Ayers, Amherst County Sheriff.
Justin Baumgardner, of Monroe, was found in a 1994 Chevrolet pickup truck around 8:30 a.m. Sunday in the driveway of a home off Elon Road (Virginia 130), authorities said.
The home’s resident called police Sunday morning while trying to leave his residence. Baumgardner had no connection to the home where his truck was found.
Ayers said there were multiple gun shots. He estimated Baumgardner was shot between 9 and 10 p.m. Saturday.
Ayers said there were possibly five gun shots, but authorities are working to confirm that.
Baumgardner was about 8 to 10 miles from his home, Ayers said, and so far there are no suspects in the case. Ayers also said he could not speculate about a motive.
“We really don’t have any direction to say random, or not random, intentional. At this point I can’t say that either way,” Ayers said.
Police are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900.
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( hogtown gal ) on May 06, 2008 at 10:37 pm
I too had no idea what a Shooting zone is until the Amherst Deputies told us they could do nothing about rounds of gunfire out of hunting season in our neighborhood. I acquired a map of Shooting zones in Amherst county from the Sheriff’s Dept. You need to check it out. It is a map of areas in Amherst County which are designated where shooting even out of season is allowed. It includes Elon Road and roads and sub divisions off Rt 130 plus Amelon Road including the new 29 by pass and the Wal Mart shopping center plus many other areas. These zones were created in the early 70’ties when the areas were unpopulated, but have never been updated since; therefore you are still allowed to shoot in these zones anytime you feel like it. Contact your Supervisor or the Amherst Sheriff’s Dept if you would like a map or futher info.
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Posted by ( Nina ) on May 06, 2008 at 10:14 am
I have lived in Amherst County for 20 years and have no idea what a “shooting zone” is. Can anyone tell me the meaning of this term?
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Posted by ( amy ) on May 06, 2008 at 9:11 am
I heard on the radio this area is also known for drag racing late at night. Has the Sheriff’s Dept looked into this? If it is known for racing, why isn’t there a cop patrolling this area during the night?
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Posted by ( hogtown gal ) on May 06, 2008 at 12:09 am
Since Route 130 is in the Amherst ‘SHOOTING ZONE” he was likely killed by a shooter’s round of fire. I complained to the Sheriff’s dept. about 30 or more rounds from a semi automatic being fired in our neighborhood. I was told they could do nothing about it as it is in the “shooting zone”. Justin was likely killed by the same shooter I have complained about. Had he been stopped then, this would not have happened. Elon Road and surrounding densley populated neighborhoods need to be removed from this “shooting zone” before more lives are taken. I am afraid to go in my yard or walk our streets for fear of being shot. Amelon Road and Madison Heights Business area including Wal Mart are all in this “shooting Zone”. A man was fined for killing a bear behind Wal Mart with a bow and arrow yet this same area is in the “shooting zone”.
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