WOODFORD, Va. — Deputies say a man has been arrested for shooting two men in a Spotsylvania County Sheetz parking lot on Wednesday. The two victims are in the hospital with critical injuries. Investigators say the shooting was unprovoked and appears to be a hate crime.
Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to the Sheetz in the 5000 block of Mudd Tavern Road in the Thornburg area just before 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 28. Two detectives in the area got to the scene and found a 29-year-old man and a 45-year-old man shot several times.
The detectives administered first aid until medics arrived, and the two men were taken to an area hospital in critical condition.
Witnesses and surveillance footage gave detectives a description of the suspected shooter, along with the vehicle he left in. With the help of the Caroline County Sheriff's Office, Douglas Wayne Cornett, 57, was arrested for the shooting.
Cornett was charged with two counts of aggravated malicious wounding and additional gun charges. Further charges may be forthcoming.
According to the sheriff's office, the shooting appears hate/bias related. Both victims were Hispanic and from Prince William County.
“Hate crimes are a stain on our society and have no place in a civilized world," said Spotsylvania Sheriff Roger Harris. "As a society, we must stand united in denouncing and combating hate crimes in all forms.”
RELATED: NY man sentenced to 25 years to life for killing woman who wound up in his driveway after wrong turn
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.