Full Breakdown
Manassas Shooting Leads to Suspect’s Suicide on Interstate 81
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Background & Immediate Response
Police in Manassas City responded to a shooting on Wellington Road early on a Wednesday. The suspect, identified as Marvin Grant, 37, of North Carolina, was described as driving a silver Toyota Camry with temporary North Carolina registration. Three individuals were found shot at United Rentals, where Grant was employed; two victims—Richard Lamont, 48, and Christopher Serrano, 33—later died in hospital. Detectives began a cell-phone ping that located the device in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and relayed the information to Virginia State Police.
Police Pursuit and Suicide
Virginia State Police troopers spotted Grant’s vehicle on southbound I-81 near the 235-mile marker in Augusta County and attempted a traffic stop at the Weyers Cave rest area. After briefly exiting and re-entering the car, Grant continued southward. At the 227-mile marker, he pulled over, exited the vehicle, and pointed a firearm at his own head. A tactical team and negotiator were deployed, and at approximately 10:30 a.m. Grant shot himself. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. State officials confirmed that no force was used by police during the incident.
Impact on Traffic and Public Safety
The Virginia Department of Transportation closed a portion of the southbound lanes for roughly three hours, reopening them at 12:35 p.m. The northbound lanes experienced an hour-long closure. The shutdown caused significant delays for commuters traveling the interstate corridor through Augusta County.
Official Statements
Chief Douglas Keen of the Manassas City Police Department briefed the media, noting the fatalities and that the motive for the Manassas shooting remained unclear. A Virginia State Police release emphasized that the suspect’s death was self-inflicted and that officers did not employ force. Both agencies highlighted the coordinated effort that led to the suspect’s location and the swift response that prevented further violence.