Albemarle County Police responded to multiple reports of shots fired at the Harris Teeter grocery store in Crozet at approximately 1:35pm on February 17. Two people, including the shooter, were pronounced dead at the scene. A third victim was transported to the University of Virginia Medical Center, where she ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
The preliminary investigation from ACPD and Virginia State Police indicates that the shooter, 28-year-old Justin Barbour of Crozet, entered the parking lot and began firing an AR-15 rifle at the first victim, 43-year-old Peter Martin of Crozet, as he exited the grocery store. Barbour then approached the second victim, 68-year-old Diane Spangler of Afton, while she was in her vehicle and shot her.
An off-duty federal agent heard the gunfire as he exited Harris Teeter and engaged and fatally shot Barbour with a personal weapon approximately 20 seconds after the gunfire started. At a February 18 press conference, Col. Sean Reeves said ACPD does not plan to press charges against the off-duty officer or identify the person or the agency he works for.
“We owe an immense gratitude to an off-duty federal law enforcement professional who happened to be in 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,” said Reeves. “Without their brave actions there’s no doubt the casualty count could have been much higher.”
“Our detectives are still executing search warrants, but the suspect’s vehicle is present,” he said. “In plain view there are additional firearms.”
At press time, law enforcement does not know if Barbour, Martin, or Spangler knew each other prior to the incident.
