Staff report

ISLE OF WIGHT

The victim of a shooting that took place in the 1400 block of Bowling Green Road in Isle of Wight County Sunday evening is expected to be OK.

According to Lt. Tommy Potter, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, the department received a call about the incident around 6:40 p.m. When deputies arrived on-scene they found one 19-year-old male who had been shot numerous times.

The victim was airlifted to a local trauma center, Potter said, and underwent surgery Monday night. He was reported to be in stable condition Tuesday.

The suspect, now identified as James Junior Gay, 53, had fled the scene to a wooded area adjacent to his home by the time deputies arrived, but was taken into custody a short time later. 

Investigators say an argument had occurred prior to the 911 call, in which the accused allegedly fired several rounds at another individual with a rifle. The individual was not hit by the gunfire and bystanders were able to wrestle the rifle away from Gay.

Shortly thereafter, Gay became involved in another altercation with a second individual at the residence, during which he allegedly went into a shed on his property and produced a second rifle, brandishing it in the direction of a female on the property. She was able to flee the area and it was at this time that Gay reportedly fired several rounds, hitting the 19-year-old male in the torso and shoulder.

Gay was initially taken to a local hospital for observation as a result of injuries he sustained during the physical altercation, but has since been transported to the Western Tidewater Regional Jail, where he is being held without bond. He has been charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, one count of malicious wounding, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, three counts of brandishing a firearm and two counts of reckless handling of a firearm.