SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. — A 15-year-old has been charged with murder after the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office says he shot and killed his mother’s boyfriend after he attacked her during an argument.
The department said in a news release that deputies were called to a home in Spotsylvania about 3:45 p.m. Tuesday for a shooting. Authorities say deputies found the body of 37-year-old John Conroy Jr. in a front room. Police say he had several gunshot wounds.
Investigators say Conroy and his girlfriend were arguing when Conroy physically attacked the woman in front of her juvenile son. Deputies say the son, who is not related to Conroy, got a semiautomatic firearm and shot Conroy several times.
The woman was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The 15-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in a felony. He was transported to the Rappahannock Regional Juvenile Detention Center.
Sheriff Roger L. Harris says that investigation is still in the early stages.
“A myriad of evidentiary items, statements, interviews and further investigative assignments are underway,” Harris said in a news release.
In Virginia, all homicides are presumed to be second-degree murders at the onset of the case. After the investigation has been completed and all forensic evidence is tested and confirmed, the initial charge(s) can be raised, lowered or dismissed, the sheriff’s office says.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
