A teenager was killed early Sunday morning in Spotsylvania County, reportedly as he attempted to break up a fight that had broken out among other youths at a gathering.
Around 1 a.m., Spotsylvania County sheriff’s deputies responded to the 14600 block of Spotswood Furnace Road for a report of a shooting.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, a large group had gathered for a party on property owned by Spotsylvania County. The victim, 19-year-old Christian Whalen, attempted to break the fight up when he was shot in a lower extremity. Deputies immediately began to render life-saving measures.
A deputy on scene loaded Whalen into his cruiser and transported him to a rescue squad. He was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
Detectives interviewed numerous witnesses still on the scene. During initial interviews, it was alleged that 18-year-old Kenneth Watson of Caroline County had fired a weapon, striking Whalen as he was attempting to break up the fight.
Watson is facing charges of homicide and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
This is still an active investigation, and detectives are relying on witnesses who may have been at the party that left before law enforcement’s arrival. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office.
