Victims of Virginia shooting rampage identified as 4 adults, 3 teenagers and a 4-year-old

Va. police identify victims in shooting rampage

APPOMATTOX, Va. — The victims of a gunman’s rampage in Virginia were four adults, three teenagers and a 4-year-old whom the suspect knew, authorities said Wednesday. Christopher Bryan Speight, a 39-year-old security guard, surrendered to police at daybreak after leading authorities on an 18-hour manhunt following the slayings at a house in rural central Virginia where deputies found a mortally wounded man and seven bodies.

A bomb squad discovered a multitude of explosives at Speight’s home, and crews were detonating the devices into the night.

Speight had no weapons when he surrendered at the house. He was wearing a bulletproof vest over a black fleece jacket, camouflage pants and mud-caked boots. Neither the sheriff nor a state police spokeswoman would disclose what Speight said when he gave up.

Speight was charged with one count of first degree murder, but other charges are likely. He’s being held at a jail in Lynchburg.

State police identified the victims of the slayings as 16-year-old Ronald Scruggs; 15-year-old Emily Quarles; 43-year-old Karen and Jonathan Quarles; 38-year-old Dwayne and Lauralee Sipe; 15-year-old Morgan Dobyns; and 4-year-old Joshua Sipe.

Their bodies are at the state medical examiner’s office in Roanoke, where their causes of death will be determined.

Police say Speight knew all the victims and had lived at the home where the slayings occurred Tuesday, but they did not outline the victims’ relationships or discuss a motive.

Speight co-owned and lived in the home where some of the bodies were found. Reporters were allowed to see the home Wednesday. The two-story house had a big patio, where there was furniture, a children’s bicycle and a plastic basketball hoop. The yard was landscaped and well-manicured.

No court date for Speight has been set.

Associated Press writers Larry O’Dell and Zinie Chen Sampson in Appomattox, Tim Huber in Charleston, W.Va., and Harry R. Weber in Atlanta contributed to this report.