u/hyperbolefxbg

One individual is in the hospital after a reported robbery at a downtown business, according to the Fredericksburg Police Department.

Police say that two masked men entered the establishment and held three other individuals at gunpoint before assaulting them.

One suspect is described as wearing white and red gloves, grey or black hoodie, black pants, white shoes and a white mask. The description of the other suspect is unknown.

At approximately 9:15 PM, a call for a reported shooting was received in the 600 block of Kenmore Avenue in downtown Fredericksburg. Upon arrival on the scene, the call was downgraded to injuries sustained by assault, with one individual appearing to suffer a head injury. That person is on their way to a local hospital for treatment.

Officers with the Fredericksburg Police Department were observed entering the second story of the building with weapons drawn before exiting the property. A K9 unit canvassed several of the adjacent properties before the area in front of the business was searched and sectioned off with crime scene tape.

This story is developing and will be updated with details as they become available.

Second amendment sanctuary? Spotsylvania Commonwealth’s Attorney Ryan Mehaffey has stated he will not prosecute cases stemming from the recent firearm legislation signed by Governor Spanberger.

In a press release last Thursday, Mehaffey wrote that newly-passed bills for an Assault Weapons Ban (SB 749 / HB217) and Public Carry Ban (SB 727 / HB1524) were “inconsistent” with the Second Amendment.

Among the changes those new bills outline include the banning of future sale, transfer, import or manufacturing of “assault firearms” and a prohibition on carrying or transporting firearms with magazine capacities over 15 rounds on public property.

“These laws are unconstitutional and cannot be lawfully enforced,” wrote Mehaffey.

Seeking clarification, hyperbole contacted Mehaffey last Friday and asked if he planned on prosecuting cases stemming from the new laws, which take effect on July 1st.

“No, criminal charges brought under the new assault weapons or public carry bans, if they were ever brought by any law enforcement agency in Spotsylvania County, could not be lawfully maintained and I would dismiss the charges in discharge of my constitutional duty,” replied Mehaffey the following day.

“The U.S. and Virginia Constitutions are the supreme law of the land, and these new bans in the Code of Virginia are inconsistent with Constitutional law - they are unconstitutional and cannot be lawfully enforced.”

In his May 15th statement, the Spotsylvania CA and former Marine provided additional background on the AR-15, “the most popular rifle in America,” and its derivation from the M4A1 carbine as the military’s primary basic infantry weapon.

Additionally, Mehaffey’s memo cited three rulings to support his conclusions:

US v. Miller (1939), which states citizens have the right to possess weapons with “some reasonable relationship” to a well-regulated militia.

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), a case securing the rights of citizens to possess firearms that are in “common use” for lawful purposes, including self-defense.

New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022), a ruling that decided that firearm restrictions must be consistent with the country’s “historical tradition of firearm regulation.

“In the historical tradition of Virginia, the law not only permitted but required its citizens to arm themselves with the instruments of basic infantrymen - a musket and 20 rounds - for service in the militia,” Mehaffey asserted.

“The Assault Weapons Ban and the Public Carry Ban are undoubtley inconsistent with the historical tradition of Virginia,” concluded Mehaffey.

hyperbole contacted the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office to inquire if the department planned on enforcing the new firearm-related bills.

"We received Mr. Mehaffey’s letter regarding SB749/HB217 and SB727/HB1524, and we will wait to see whether any future litigation arises concerning these matters,” replied Major Liz Scott in an email.

“Should litigation occur, we will review developments at that time.”

hyperbole’s questions to the Fredericksburg, Stafford and King George Commonwealth’s Attorneys have hitherto received no response.

A Fredericksburg mother is warning others after she says an individual in a pink animal costume chased after her four children before attempting to grab one at a bus stop this past Thursday afternoon.

A neighbor is purported to have captured a photo of the individual, showing an individual wearing a pink animal costume with a red jacket and brown boots.

On Thursday, May 14th at approximately 4:30 PM, a resident says that two of her children were waiting at a bus stop for a pair of siblings around the 2200 block of Lafayette Boulevard when they spotted an individual wearing a pink animal costume staring at them from across the street.

Upon the arrival and departure of the school bus, the costumed individual is alleged to have crossed Lafayette Boulevard with the stoppage of traffic.

According to the mother, the individual is then alleged to have continued approaching the four children before attempting to chase them after they began running in the opposite direction. At one point in that pursuit, the individual is alleged to have attempted to grab one of the smaller children, according to the mother.

That mother states that one of the children reported seeing a man’s face beneath the costume, including facial hair, and stated that he appeared to have a tan complexion.

A report of the incident was made to police later Thursday evening. The mother states that Fredericksburg City Public School officials have the same photo of the alleged suspect and have distributed it to drivers for awareness.

Neither the Fredericksburg Police Department or Fredericksburg City Public Schools could immediately be reached for comment.

This story is developing and will be updated with additional details as they become available.

Area first responders rescued a pair of pets from a structure fire at a Fredericksburg apartment complex early Friday afternoon.

At approximately 12:30 PM, a call was received for a reported structure fire in the 600 block of Greenbrier Drive. The caller reported smoke emanating from an adjacent apartment unit, which was unoccupied at the time.

Units arrived on scene and reported an active fire in the unoccupied unit, as well as a cat and dog in need of securing. After a brief time on scene, the fire was brought under control. Animal control arrived shortly thereafter to take custody of the animals until the owner could be located.

Fredericksburg Fire Chief Michael Jones told hyperbole that three adults and the two pets are displaced as a result of the fire, which is under investigation by the Fire Marshall.

Friday afternoon’s incident echoed a similar response in January at the same complex where first responders rescued a number of house pets from a reported structure fire.

Prayer in the park.

Fredericksburg's National Day of Prayer featured more than 15 area spiritual leaders, a pair of state delegates and one sheriff in Hurkamp Park on Thursday.

Speakers touched on topics that included family, marriage, education, first responders, veterans and racial reconciliation.

Fredericksburg Sheriff Rashawn Cowles prayed for members of law enforcement. Delegates Stacey Caroll and Joshua Cole also spoke, with the latter praying for the city, commonwealth and country.

This year's event also included a prayer walk with seven stops for worship around downtown Fredericksburg. That was led by members of Fail-Safe Era Sounding The Alarm, a program aimed at diverting area youth from violence.

Held on the first Thursday of May, the National Day of Prayer is an annual observance of public prayer for all faiths across the country.