Crozet, Va. – The Albemarle County Police Department is continuing its investigation into a deadly shooting that occurred on Monday, February 17, in the parking lot of a Harris Teeter grocery store in Crozet. The shooting resulted in the deaths of two local residents, Peter Martin, 43, and Diane Spangler, 68.
According to police reports, 28-year-old Justin Barbour of Crozet, the suspect in the shooting, entered the parking lot of the store around 1:30 p.m. on the day of the incident. Barbour, armed with a rifle, first approached Martin as he was leaving the store and shot him. Moments later, Barbour moved to Spangler’s vehicle and shot her. Spangler later died from her injuries at UVA Medical Center.
The shooting was interrupted when an off-duty police officer, exiting the store, heard the gunshots and responded by fatally shooting Barbour. The officer was armed with his personal weapon, and his quick actions likely prevented further loss of life.
Authorities have confirmed that Barbour had no previous criminal history or any known connection to the victims or the location of the shooting. The suspect left his home at approximately 1:22 p.m. and arrived at the Harris Teeter parking lot just 11 minutes later. Police indicated that within 20 seconds of his arrival, Barbour fired 28 rounds.
In a statement released by the Albemarle County Police Department, officials disclosed that Barbour had been in contact with law enforcement on four separate occasions before the shooting. However, none of these interactions indicated any history of violence, threats, or behaviors that would have triggered a legal intervention, such as an Emergency Custody Order (ECO) or an Emergency Substantial Risk Order (ESRO).
Colonel Sean Reeves, chief of the Albemarle County Police Department, expressed his commitment to a thorough investigation into the incident. “We are committed to not only ensuring a thorough investigation but also helping our community understand and process this tragic event,” said Colonel Reeves. “This was a senseless act of violence that has deeply impacted our community. In difficult moments like this, we must come together to support one another.”
The incident has left the Crozet community shaken, as residents try to come to terms with the senseless loss of life. Local authorities are urging anyone affected by the tragedy to seek support and utilize available community resources.
The police department continues to explore all investigative avenues as they work to uncover more details surrounding the shooting and determine the motives behind this devastating act. As of now, there has been no clear explanation for Barbour’s actions, which remain a point of focus in the ongoing investigation.
