Grottoes man shot and killed: Suspect in custody

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - At approximately 7:15 p.m. on Sunday, June 27, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office and the Grottoes Rescue Squad responded to a call of shots being fired at Gayle’s Quick Stop at the intersection of Port Republic Road and South Eastside Highway, according to Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson.

Upon arrival, Hutcheson says a male subject was found lying in the parking lot suffering from gunshot wounds and his wife was on-scene and uninjured. He says it was determined that there had been a verbal argument at that location between them and another male and female, who had since fled the scene.

The argument escalated into physical violence and culminated with the accused shooting the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The business was closed at the time of the incident and all of the events took place outside.

The sheriff adds that a “be on the lookout” (BOL) was put out for the suspect vehicle and the Virginia State Police located it a short time later at RMH along with both the male and the female. The male suspect was taken into custody and the female was treated for injuries sustained during the incident. She was subsequently transferred to UVA Hospital for additional medical treatment and has just been released as of Monday afternoon.

The victim was identified William Herbert Reeves, Jr., a 44 year-old male of Grottoes.

Pierce Austin Delawder, a 20 year-old male of Grottoes, has been charged with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Delawder is currently being held at the Rockingham Harrisonburg Regional Jail without bond. Sheriff Hutcheson says an investigation is still underway.