Man in custody after road rage incident leaves two hurt with gunshot wounds in James City County

JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) — A man is in custody after a road rage incident resulted in a woman and child being shot in James City County, police said.

Around 3 p.m., police and James City County Fire Department responded after two gunshot wound victims were seen near Monticello Avenue and Greensprings Plantation Drive, police said. The shooting itself occurred at the intersection of Centerville Road and Monticello Avenue.

Monticello Avenue was closed between Centerville Road and Powhatan Secondary.

A vehicle with three occupants turned from Centerville Road onto Monticello Avenue while the suspect, driving a red Toyota Solara, was traveling on Centerville Road toward John Tyler Highway.

The suspect was identified as 44-year-old Joseph Adams. He was reportedly seen firing multiple shots in the victims’ vehicle.

The victims’ vehicle came to a stop at the Monticello Avenue/Greensprings Plantation Drive intersection, where first responders began lifesaving medical treatment.

Police learned that Adams’ vehicle was aboard the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry, which was traveling from James City County to Surry County. The ferry was held at the dock once it arrived on the Surry side of the route, where personnel from the Surry County Sheriff’s Office arrived and took Adams into custody without incident.

Investigators said they suspect that he was under the influence of alcohol.

A woman was airlifted to VCU Medical Center via LifeEvac with life-threatening injuries, and a juvenile was transported by ground to Riverside Regional Medical Center with non life-threatening injuries. Meanwhile, the third occupant of the vehicle was unharmed.

No information on the status of the victims is available at this time.

Adams was initially arrested for DUI and transported to the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail. Additional firearms-related charges are pending as the investigation continues. Monticello Avenue, which had been closed between Centerville Road and Powhatan Secondary, was reopened to traffic around 7 p.m.

Several bystanders immediately stepped in to aid the victims.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to the Surry County Sheriff’s Office for their vital assistance in apprehending the offender, to the Virginia State Police for assisting with traffic control, and to the James City County Fire Department for their swift medical response,” police said. “We also recognize the collaborative efforts of the various Units and Divisions within the Department, as their contributions were instrumental in managing this incident.”

If you have any information about this case, you can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3 tips app to a mobile device, or visiting www.P3tips.com and submitting a tip.

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