FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — A Virginia man is dead after he tried to break up a large fight at a party early Sunday morning. Police say the man was shot, and another man was arrested shortly afterward.
According to Major Elizabeth Scott with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to the 14600 block of Spotswood Furnace Road around 1 a.m. The property is owned by Spotsylvania County, and is not far from the Hunting Run Reservoir. A large group had gathered there, and they were trespassing, Scott said.
Investigators believe a fight broke out. Christian Whalen, 19, tried to break up the fight and was shot in the leg. Deputies responding to the scene tried to get Whalen help. One deputy loaded the wounded man in his cruiser and got him to an ambulance. He was taken to a nearby hospital, but he did not survive.
Detectives got to the area and began interviewing witnesses. During their investigation, detectives learned that 18-year-old Kenneth Watson had fired the shot that struck Whalen during the fight.
The sheriff's office says Watson has been charged with homicide and he is being held without bond.
The investigation is still active and ongoing. Detectives are still working to interview everyone who was at the party when the shooting happened. Investigators are relying on witnesses who may have been at the party before law enforcement got there.
Anyone who may have information to help investigators should contact authorities at 1-800-928-5822 or 1-540-582-5822.
