Drunk groomsman threatens wedding guests, shoots himself in the foot and flees

Photo byRene Asmussen/Pexels

STEPHENSON, Va. – A groomsman was arrested after making threats of bodily harm and shooting one wedding reception guest.

According to a media release posted by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO), the incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, December 9.

At approximately 7:08 p.m., dispatchers received a call in reference to a subject threatening to shoot guests after he was asked to leave a wedding reception.

FCSO deputies were initially dispatched to the Historic Jordan Springs wedding venue, on Jordan Springs Road in eastern Frederick County.

As deputies were responding, the call was updated to a “possible shots fired” incident. The only information given was a possible suspect vehicle description.

The first deputy on scene noticed a vehicle leaving the venue and relayed that information to other units. Another deputy soon located the suspect’s vehicle driving erratically, and made a traffic stop at the Jordan Springs Market. The male driver, identified as 22-year-old John Morningstar, was detained without incident.

At the wedding venue, deputies located a victim with a gunshot wound to the leg and began administering first-aid until the arrival of EMS.

An initial investigation determined that Morningstar had been a groomsman in the wedding, but was asked to leave the reception after becoming overly-intoxicated. Morningstar agreed to leave, but reportedly made threats to return and shoot anyone who was still at the event A short time later, he was observed in the parking lot driving recklessly and “doing donuts.”

Another wedding attendee, Kevin Huff, ended up in a confrontation with the subject. Morningstar shot Huff in the leg before fleeing the scene.

During the traffic stop, deputies discovered a gunshot wound to Morningstar’s foot (believed to have been self-inflicted). EMS units responded for assessment and treatment to the wound.

Multiple firearms were located within Morningstar's vehicle, along with various ammunition, including the suspected weapon used against Huff.

Morningstar was initially charged with DUI, Malicious Wounding and two (2) counts of Reckless Handling of a Firearm.

Both Morningstar and Huff were transported to Winchester Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries. At the time of the FCSO media release, both were listed in stable condition.

The incident remains under investigation.