Police arrest 2 murder suspects

Two suspects, a 15-year-old and a 25-year-old, wanted for capital murder in commission of a robbery have been arrested, according to the Harrisonburg Police Department.

Sgt. Shane Brown of the HPD said Brandon Wise Thompson, 15, and Nicholas Everette Wright, 25, turned themselves in to police at 5 a.m. Wednesday morning.

The two are being held with a third suspect, an unnamed 14-year-old, in connection with the murder of Bruce "Buddy" Nelson Jr. The 54-year-old was shot and killed at his Harrisonburg residence three weeks ago. The shooting took place near Harrisonburg Crossing.

"As of now, we are satisfied that we have the three suspects that are primarily responsible," Brown said. Brown declined to explain the circumstances surrounding the robbery.

Police released a warrant notification Nov. 23 for Thompson and Wright. JMU Public Safety issued a timely warning notification the same day, warning that the two suspects were considered armed and dangerous.

Brown said that, while the JMU police issued a warning, "the JMU community was at no more risk than everyone else [in Harrisonburg]."

JMU spokesman Andy Perrine said, "The reason why we issued a timely notification was because the shooting happened adjacent to campus. We wanted to let everyone know that the shooter was at large."

The homicide took place at Nelson’s residence at 208 Governor’s Lane.

— from staff reports