Police said that a Virginia man who killed four people, then himself, on Christmas Day had a history of mental problems. Still, police were trying to determine a motive for the rampage. "Perhaps we'll never be able to answer the question that is most prevalent, and that is why," said Col. David Rohrer, chief of the Fairfax County, Va., Police Department.
"This is obviously a complex investigation with separate crime scenes and five victims. The events ... have certainly shocked and saddened us all," said Rohrer.
Investigators believe Nathan W. Cheatham shot and killed his mother in the driveway of her McLean home. He then drove 10 miles to a home in Great Falls and fired more than 50 shots that killed three other people, before turning the gun on himself. Cheatham, 27, had been arrested on several occasions by Fairfax County police for what they described as "minor infractions."
Court records obtained by WRC-TV show that Cheatham was arrested in 2000 for driving on a revoked license and in 2001 for assault on a police officer, escape and carrying a concealed weapon. He spent 10 days in jail in 2002 for possession of cocaine and other drug offenses.
Police also said Cheatham had a history of psychiatric problems but did not elaborate.
He had been living with his mother, Sheila G. Cheatham, 53, for at least two weeks. He had also stayed with his two brothers at another location in Fairfax County. Police are hoping they can learn some indication of his demeanor, which may lead to an understanding of what led him to go on a rampage. Police believe he broke into the second home and systematically went from room to room, fatally shooting Janina C. Price, 50, and her son Adam S. Price, 19, who both lived there, and Christopher J. Buro, 20, of Great Falls, who was visiting. Another member of the Price family hid in the basement and was able to call for help as Cheatham opened fire. He escaped after the gunfire stopped. Police said Cheatham was an acquaintance of the Price family. He had called them earlier in the day and was asked not to go to the home.
"There was a phone conversation between Nathan and somebody at the house," said Maj. Bob Callahan, commander of the police department's criminal investigation bureau. Four spent clips from the 9 mm handgun were found at the house in Great Falls, an upscale suburb about 17 miles west of Washington. Cheatham also had other unused ammunition in his possession. The body of one man was found in a bedroom closet. Another victim was found by a bed in a separate bedroom. Mrs. Price was found in the master bedroom on the second floor. Each had been shot several times. "It appeared that they probably were still asleep or in their rooms when everything started," Callahan said. Cheatham's body was found in the master bedroom with what police called a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
One of two black Labrador retrievers owned by the Price family was shot three times, but was treated by a veterinarian and is expected to survive. Case Updates| Posted on Dec 29, 2005 - 10:33PM | Christmas Day at the Hope Center, a 24/7/365 emergency clinic for animals staffed by people with big hearts and closely held emotions, was slightly more chaotic than usual. The phone busily rang with typical seasonal questions about the toxicity of milk chocolate and what dangers ensue when a small toy enters a dog's intestinal tract.
Dr. Michele Angel had completed her shift and was walking out the back door when she heard that "a gunshot wound just walked in."
It was Max, a 100-pound black Labrador retriever who was shot three times with a 9-mm handgun at a bloody crime scene in Great Falls. A victim of the murder-suicide that killed five people earlier that day, Max was delivered to the clinic by Fairfax County Animal Control Officer, A. Carter.
Max was able to walk in, though "shocky" from bullet wounds to the head, chest and leg and showing obvious pain and distress, according to chief of staff David Rouse. Angel identified three entry wounds but only two exit wounds and an X-ray showed a bullet lodged just under the skin in the dog's chest. Angel said it entered the dog's chest, hit a lung and a vertebrae and came out the other side, where it lodged just under the skin. She made an incision to remove the bullet, creating the third exit wound, cleaned up "dead space" to prevent damaged tissue from getting infected, and placed drains for the shoulder wounds.
Less than 24 hours later, Max was "ambulatory and alert" but sore and medicated for pain, according to Rouse. The dog's prognosis for full recovery is excellent. "Apparently he is a big ham," Angel said. "He tries to get attention from anyone."
The clinic staff was monitoring him closely for postoperative dangers like pneumothorax or infection, but Max was well enough to walk outside on a leash. His family had already called to check on his condition. "He was very fortunate," Rouse said. The bullet that grazed Max's skull traveled a longitudinal path; Rouse said he could not determine if the dog was shot as he approached the shooter or moved away from him, because the entry and exit wounds looked very similar. Had Max been shot from the side, he would likely have been killed, according to Rouse. | | Source: Times Community - December 28, 2005 |
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