Man shot in Virginia, sniper link probed

WASHINGTON - A man was shot and wounded in a parking lot outside a restaurant in a Virginia town located 145km south of the US capital on Saturday night.

However, authorities said they did not know whether the incident was linked to the sniper murder spree in the Washington area.

Authorities said a man was shot with single bullet outside a Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurant in Ashland, Virginia, and was transported to a local trauma centre for treatment. The Hanover County Sheriff's Office said the area was being quarantined following the night time incident.

Ashland is located about 25km north of Richmond, Virginia.

Since October 2, an elusive sniper has killed nine people in Maryland, Washington and Virginia and wounded two others, picking off victims at random with a single bullet from a high-powered rifle. Police could not confirm if the shooting was related to the other shootings.

"We have no idea," Ashland police department official Pete West told Reuters.

West could not identify the victim, who was alive following the incident.

"They are unaware at this time if the shooting is related to incidents in Northern Virginia and Maryland. And the area is being quarantined and treated as such," according to a statement released by the Hanover County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities cordoned off major highways around Ashland in an effort to find the culprit, with a police helicopter hovering overhead.

CNN reported that the shooting took place about 8.45pm and the victim was 37 years old.

- REUTERS


Further reading:
The Washington sniper

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