CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. --The former Caroline County High School student who allegedly gunned down a classmate near the YMCA in Ruther Glen last month is facing new charges.
Mack Ellett with the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, the lead investigator in the case, said the 15-year-old is now facing attempted murder and a new use of a firearm in the commission of a felony charges. The boy was previously charged with murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony after police said he fatally shot 16-year-old Elijah “Buck” Ballnear the Caroline County YMCA off of Durrette Road.
Ellett told CBS 6 reporter Jon Burkett that the investigation revealed that a 26-year-old relative of Ball’s was also at the scene. Ellett said that as the 15-year-old suspect was running from the scene, he also opened fire on the 26-year-old, but missed.
Ellett, who is working closely with assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Diane Abato on this case, said the investigation is ongoing
A neighbor, who spoke with WTVR CBS 6 on the condition of anonymity, said he was walking his dog on March 21 when he saw teenagers arguing near the YMCA. The witness said one of the teens threatened to shoot the other, then pulled out a gun and fired three shots.
The neighbor said he saw two teenagers flee the scene. That’s when he ran over to the victim, who was lying on the ground, and performed CPR on the victim until paramedics arrived.
Former deputy sprang into action
Chris Woolridge, a former combat soldier in Afghanistan and a former Caroline deputy, sprang into action to catch Ball's alleged killer.
“It happened about 50 yards from my house,” said Woolridge. “I heard one round come whizzing by.”
As he ran towards the YMCA, he could see a victim on the ground and people already trying to help him. Woolridge started asking questions about the gunman, and where he went.
“I saw the suspect come out of the woods to the right of me,” he said. “He had a weapon in his hand with a T-shirt wrapped around it.”
Woolridge said the teen got into a car on Durrette Road. But when the driver started to pull off, Woolridge pulled out his own gun and ordered the driver to stop and he then called 911.
Elijah “Buck” Ball
Falling back on his law enforcement training, he ordered everyone to get out of the car with their hands up. He said the teen told him where he could find the alleged murder weapon.
“There was a one- or two-year-old child still in the car in a safety seat,” Woolrideg said. “The weapon was on the floor in front of her.”
Sources said two weapons were removed from the car the suspect had been riding in.
Deputies said that the suspect and victim had an ongoing issue of not “liking” each other.
The 15-year-old alleged triggerman will be charged as an adult.
