An altercation between three teenagers turned deadly Saturday night near the Caroline County YMCA in Ruther Glen, VA. A 15-year-old boy was charged with murder after allegedly shooting another 15-year old on the entrance road to the building, about an hour before the Y’s closing time.
No one else was outside the YMCA building when the shots were fired, according to an article on NBC12.com. After the shooting, police blocked the entrance to the building with crime tape, and a police car and fire truck remained outside the YMCA during the investigation, according to a story on Fredericksburg.com.
Since the shooting, the sheriff’s department has talked with the YMCA about increasing security, and many ideas are being considered, according to Major Scott Moser, chief deputy with the Caroline County Sheriff's Office.
“We have made some headway in talking about what we can do,” he says.
The fatal shooting is the first homicide since 2007 in Caroline County, and statistically, that area is a safe area based on the number of calls, Moser says.
The incident involved three teenagers—two current students and one former student from Caroline County High School.
“The individual who committed the offense was apprehended within about 10 to 15 minutes after the shooting,” Moser says.
According to Fredericksburg.com, the victim has been identified as Elijah "Buck" Ball IV, and the alleged shooter has been identified as Ahmad Goodall.
The community has come together to show their support after the incident. So far, Moser says, there have been two vigils, and the pastors from the community are partnering with the Caroline County High School administration and the Sheriff’s Office.
“They have had a positive response in talking to the youth and the children in this community about violence,” Moser says. “It’s unfortunate that a tragic event like this would cause these programs to be thrust forward, but that is how it works out sometimes. At this point, we have made some great progress, and the local and religious leaders and school administration have put together a good program for the youth in our community.”