Shots fired in Ashby

Police charge two suspects

Gunshots were fired Saturday night outside of 1210 Devon Lane in Ashby Crossing. Though no injuries were reported, two arrests of non-students were made and charges were filed, Sgt. Scott Clark of the Harrisonburg police said.

Michael Adams, 20, of Yorktown, was charged with reckless handling of a firearm, unlawful shooting into an occupied dwelling and possession of firearm by a convicted felon.

Terrell Smith, 20, of Harrisonburg, was charged with accessory after the fact and possession of marijuana.

Clark said police responded to a report of a fight at 10:53 p.m. Once police arrived at the scene, the call was updated to include that gunshots were fired. It is unknown whether the fight and gunshots were related.

When police arrived at the scene, people were "frantically" walking around the area, Clark said. "I observed a handgun being tossed out a window," Clark said. "Other officers entered the back of the apartment (1210)."

A shell casing from a handgun bullet was found in the breezeway. Police could tell that the casing was the result of a recently fired weapon. Police were able to locate an entry hole from a bullet that had pierced the siding of the apartment complex. It is unknown if the bullet penetrated into another apartment as well, Clark said.

An evidence technician responded and processed the scene. The evidence then was sent to a lab for further analysis.

Sophomore Briana Sherman, a resident in the 1210 apartment complex in Ashby Crossing, said she heard two gunshots outside of her apartment at about 10:30 p.m.

Sophomore Lindsay Russell, one of Sherman’s roommates, said the police officers prevented residents and visitors from leaving by establishing a perimeter around the apartment building. Sherman said this lasted for about 30 minutes.

Sophomore Sean Castleberry, who was visiting friends in 1220, was on the balcony and said he heard commotion and noticed a "swarm of people" surrounded by police officers. He said security guards would not let anyone near the scene and that the Harrisonburg police had taped off the area.

"Knowing people can have guns this close to campus is pretty frightening," Castleberry said.

Clark said the shooting incident is under investigation.