Two victims dead, shooter killed in Crozet grocery store shooting

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Two victims and their attacker are dead following a shooting in the parking lot of a grocery store in Crozet on Monday.

On the afternoon of Monday, Feb. 17, a man identified as 28-year-old Justin Barbour of Crozet entered the parking lot of a local Harris Teeter with a rifle, according to the Albemarle County Police Department.

Police said that Barbour first shot at 43-year-old Peter Martin of Crozet, who was exiting the store. Martin died at the scene.

Barbour then approached 68-year-old Diane Spangler of Afton in her vehicle and also shot her, according to police. She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, where she later died.

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Initially, police had said that the shooter was stopped by a "good Samaritan." In a Feb. 18 update, authorities clarified that this person was an off-duty police officer.

At the time of the shooting, that officer was exiting the Harris Teeter and had heard the gunshots. According to police, the officer "engaged the shooter [Barbour] with their personal weapon." Barbour died at the scene. The officer was not hurt.

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

"Yesterday afternoon, a tragedy struck our community when a lone gunman opened fire in the parking lot of Harris Teeter in Crozet. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this senseless act of violence, as well as to the greater Crozet community. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to an off-duty Federal Law Enforcement Professional who happened to be at the shopping center when the shooting occurred. This heroic individual selflessly placed themselves in harm's way to stop the gunman and prevent further loss of life. Without their brave actions, the casualty count could have been much higher." 

As of the time of this reporting, police continue to investigate Barbour's possible motives -- including whether or not he knew Martin or Spagler prior to the shooting. While Barbour did not have a criminal history, he did interact with police as recently as January.

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Anyone who may have witnessed this shooting who has not yet spoken to investigators is asked to contact the Albemarle County Police Department at 434-296-5807.