The Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a Palmyra woman in connection with a gunshot victim who was dropped off at the Lake Monticello main gate at around 2:10 a.m. on Sept. 15, according to a press release.
Authorities said that an investigation revealed that a vehicle entered the Lake subdivision near the Slice Gate, drove to the main gate, and dropped the victim off. The car, a black Hyundai Palisade with black wheels, was driven by a woman identified as Shirley Marie Brown of Palmyra.
“Since the incident, Shirley Brown has fled and is actively avoiding law enforcement. Her whereabouts remain unknown,” according to the release from Major David R. Wells of the sheriff’s office. “It is imperative that she be located immediately, both to ensure her safety and to corroborate her timeline of events on the night of the shooting.”
Authorities identified the shooting victim as Aloys Hopfensperger of Palmyra. He remains hospitalized in critical condition. Brown and Hopfensperger knew each other, according to the sheriff’s office..
Sheriff’s investigators located the black Hyundai Palisade registered to Shirley Marie Brown at a dwelling located in the Troy area of Fluvanna. A search was executed on the dwelling, and it is believed to be the scene of the shooting, according to the release.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who saw a black, newer-model Hyundai Palisade in the Lake Monticello area in the early morning hours of Sept. 15 or who has information regarding the whereabouts of Shirley Brown to contact the sheriff’s office immediately at 434-589-8211.
Community members are also asked to review any residential or commercial security camera footage from the evening of Sept. 14 through Sept. 15, particularly within the Lake Monticello community, surrounding neighborhoods, and subdivisions extending north toward the Troy area. Even seemingly minor details may prove critical to the investigation, authorities said..
Tips may be provided confidentially through Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000, submitted anonymously online at https://www.fluvannacounty.org/sheriff/webform/crime-tips, or directly to the Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office.
