Police share more details on deadly double shooting at Albemarle County grocery store

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Albemarle County Police Department is investigating a deadly shooting that occurred on Monday, Feb. 17, discovering that the suspect who fatally shot two people in a grocery store in Crozet did not have a criminal history and had no prior connection to either victim or the location.

Police found 28-year-old Justin Barbour of Crozet -- the man who shot and killed 43-year-old Peter Martin of Crozet and 68-year-old Diane Spangler of Afton in a local Harris Teeter -- had no prior connection to either victim or the location.

(Courtesy of the Albemarle County Police Department)

Shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 17, Barbour entered the parking lot of the grocery store with a rifle and shot and killed Martin, who was exiting the store.

Barbour then approached Spangler in her vehicle and also shot her, according to police. She later died in the UVA Medical Center. He was stopped by an off-duty police officer who was exiting the Harris Teeter when he heard gunshots and shot and killed him with his personal weapon.

Police found that Barbour left home around 1:22 p.m., and arrived at the Harris Teeter parking lot at 1:33 p.m. One minute later, he fired 28 rounds within 20 seconds.

(Courtesy of the Albemarle County Police Department)

According to a social media post from the county police, Barbour had a calm demeanor during interactions with police. While he had four prior contacts with law enforcement, there was "no indication or evidence of violence, threats, or self-harm reported to police, which are the standard threshold to obtain an ECO or Emergency Substantial Risk Order (ESRO)."

Colonel Sean Reeves, chief of the Albemarle County Police Department, shared the following statement:

"We are committed to not only ensuring a thorough investigation, but also helping our community understand and process this tragic event. As I've stated previously, we may never fully understand why this occurred. Our team has worked diligently to provide answers and ensure that all investigative avenues have been explored. This was a senseless act of violence that has deeply impacted our community. In difficult moments like this, we must come together to support one another. I encourage anyone struggling in the aftermath of this tragedy to seek support and lean on the resources available."

The police are urging those struggling or in crisis to call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8 or chat at 988lifeline.org.