NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. -- A New Kent County man was taken to jail and his estranged wife and brother-in-law were taken to the hospital after a violent outburst outside Panda Garden, the family's Chinese restaurant.
"It was reported that the suspect [41-year-old Sheng Jie Jin of Quinton] entered the Panda Garden Restaurant and demanded money from his estranged wife," New Kent Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Joe McLaughlin, Jr. wrote in an email. "When the victims attempted to separate from the suspect, they went outside of the restaurant and the suspect followed. He then allegedly struck them with his vehicle. Allegedly, after the victims were struck by the car the suspect retrieved a hammer from the car and he began striking Ms. Zheng."
Witnesses detained Sheng Jie Jin until deputies arrived, McLaughlin said. Sheng Jie Jin and his estranged wife are in the midst of a divorce, he added.
Emergency crews were initially called to the restaurant, located at 2595 New Kent Highway, Tuesday night at about 9:20 when a car struck the back of the building.
"Upon arrival the first responders found damage to the building, propane tanks dislodged from their proper positions and several people injured," McLaughlin said. "Upon further investigation it was determined that the injuries and damage were the result of an intentional act."
Sheng Jie Jin was charged with two counts of aggravated malicious wounding and one count of felony destruction of property.
Sheng Jie Jin is being held without bond at Henrico Regional Jail East.
This is a developing story.
