Who Shot Justin Baumgardner?
posted 11:41 pm Mon May 05, 2008 - Amherst Co., VA
reporter:
Jeremy Mills
posted by:
Webteam
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Amherst investigators have a big mystery on their hands. Who would shoot and kill a 19-year-old man known for being respectful and responsible, as he was simply driving down the road? Detectives say they've never seen anything like this.
That's because the shooter took aim with a handgun, not a rifle, which is far more accurate. It happened on a stretch of Route 130 Saturday night, as Justin Baumgardner drove home. He was just a mile from his house, when someone opened fire.
"He was a very good child, a very good child."
It's a crime that's left a community in shock.
Henry Vess, Justin's Neighbor - "They don't come any better, they don't come any better than him."
Doris Vess, Justin's Neighbor - "It hurts pretty bad because he feels like he's one of my own.... it's hard to talk about it."
19-year-old Justin Baumgardner, known for showing his '94 pick-up at area car shows, was shot at least five times while in that same truck.
Sheriff Jimmy Ayers, Amherst County - "It's obvious the vehicle was struck, very likely while it was moving west on Route 130."
One of the rounds hit and killed Baumgardner. A woman found him in her driveway the next morning when she went to get her newspaper.
Sheriff Ayers - "The facts of case as to how he wound up there and how he wound up shot to death, we have very few clues at this time."
Faye Fulghum, Justin's Neighbor - "Who would do it, who would do it you know, that's what we would like to know, who would do it."
And until deputies find the shooter, area residents are asking another important question.
Fulghum - "Are they going to try to do it again? Yes, we are concerned about driving that road because we all drive that road."
Investigators need your help finding the person who killed Justin Baumgardner. If you know anything about this case, please call Crime Stoppers (web) at 888-798-5900.
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