LYNCBHURG, Va. – UPDATE - 4/25/2024 - 9:20 p.m.
The vehicle has been located, according to police.
UPDATE - 4/25/2024
Lynchburg Police are seeking the public’s help in locating a vehicle connected to the Waffle House shooting that occurred early Sunday.
Police are looking for a black 2007 Nissan Altima, with the Virginia tag TKE9729.
According to warrants obtained by 10 News, the vehicle is registered in the name of one of the suspects in custody, Omarian Fitch.
Anyone who sees or has information about the vehicle is asked to contact Detective Scott at (434) 455-6174, Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900 or Lynchburg Emergency Communications at (434) 847-1602. Also, you can enter an anonymous tip online at http://p3tips.com or use the P3 app on a mobile device.
UPDATE - Monday morning (4/22/2024)
Two people are now in custody following Sunday’s early morning shooting at a Lynchburg Waffle House that left two people hurt.
According to Lynchburg Police, the suspect whose name is Omarian Fitch was arrested and is facing multiple charges ranging from malicious wounding to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. A second person, Shantia Turpin, was also arrested and was charged with eluding police and obstruction of justice.
In the video attached to this article, 10 News reporter Kelly Marsh shows a Facebook live from one of the victims where the man shows his gunshot wound. We want to warn you that some of the images and video footage you see may be graphic for some viewers.
Lynchburg Police say they responded to the Waffle House on Wards Road at about 3 a.m. for reports of a fight.
Once officers arrived, they found two victims with gunshot wounds, one was a 74-year-old and the other was a 30-year-old.
“We cannot be afraid; we cannot shut our businesses down; we cannot change hours because we have people out here committing violent acts,” said Peacemakers President Shawn Hunter. “We just have to be more vigilant, more unified, because we outnumber the bad, and so, I think if we all work together to get rid of the bad, there is a remedy for this in Lynchburg.”
Hunter gave 10 News a 9-minute long video of him talking with an anonymous eyewitness who saw the shooting firsthand.
“I run outside and the second one almost hits me,” the eyewitness said. “So, I go back inside and the security guard she got shot in the face for no reason.”
Police told us both victims were taken to the hospital and are in stable condition.
According to court records, both suspects now in custody have arraignments set in Lynchburg General District Court. Turpin’s arraignment is set for May 6, 2024 at 1 p.m. Fitch’s arraignment is set for July 12, 2024 at 2 p.m.
UPDATE - Sunday evening (4/21/2024)
Lynchburg Police said a second suspect has been arrested.
Shantia Kehlish Turpin of Lynchburg was arrested and charged with the following:
- Accessory After the Fact
- Felony Eluding Police
- Obstruction of Justice
UPDATE - Sunday evening (4/21/2024)
A man has been arrested and charged in connection to the shooting at Waffle House on Sunday.
Omarian Daquon Fitch of Lynchburg is facing multiple charges.
Police said around 5 p.m., they saw the suspect get into a car.
When officers tried to stop the car, they were led on a pursuit.
The car later crashed at the intersection of Old Mill Road and McConville Road.
The suspect then ran away from officers before being arrested.
Fitch was charged with the following:
- Aggravated Malicious Wounding
- Malicious Wounding
- Reckless Handling of a Firearm
- Shooting into an Occupied Building
- Property Damage
- Use of Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
- Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
- Discharge a Firearm within the City Limit
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Scott at (434) 455-6174 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900. Enter an anonymous tip online at http://p3tips.com or use the P3 app on a mobile device.
ORIGINAL STORY - Sunday morning (4/21/2024)
Around 3 a.m. Sunday morning, Lynchburg Police officers responded to 2137 Wards Road in reference to a large fight. As officers were in route, 911 calls came in about shots being fired during the incident.
Investigators said when officers arrived on scene, they located two individuals with gunshot wounds inside the Waffle House.
LPD officers provided aid until medics arrived.
Detectives said the suspect fled in what is believed to be a black Nissan sedan. One victim, 30 years of age, is in stable condition and the other victim, 74 years of age, is in critical condition. Both are currently being treated at the Lynchburg General Hospital.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Scott at (434) 455-4174 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900.