Police probe shooting near Spotsylvania mall

Police removed a Suburban from the parking lot of Americas Best Value Inn. (Photo by Reza A. Marvashti / The Free Lance-Star)

Travis Burley

Matthew Johnson

By KEITH EPPS

Two men were shot with the same gun during a drug deal that went bad Wednesday night in the Spotsylvania Towne Centre parking lot, police said.

Spotsylvania’s Sheriff’s 1st Sgt. James Konicki said both men called 911 after the incident, around 7:54 p.m., and both were later arrested.

Matthew Johnson, 29, of Spotsylvania was charged with possession of marijuana with the intent distribute. Travis Burley, 25, of Richmond was charged with malicious wounding. Both men were at Mary Washington Hospital late Wednesday being treated for non life-threatening gunshot wounds.

Konicki said Burley and an unidentified man drove up from Richmond and met Johnson in the parking lot in front of the Cancun Margarita Bar & Grill. All three men got into Johnson’s Suburban to conduct a drug transaction, police said.

An argument erupted and Burley pulled out a semi-automatic gun, police said. Burley shot Johnson twice, once in the left calf and once in the left hand, police said.  Burley was shot in the left hand during the struggle.

The two went in different directions after the shooting and both called police. The third man ran off on foot and had not been identified as of Wednesday night.

Konicki said one of the suspects admitted that a drug deal had been in progress. Konicki said police recovered the gun and a large quantity of marijuana.

Johnson’s vehicle was towed from a nearby motel after police spent considerable time checking various rooms. Burley’s vehicle was also towed.

Both were being held in the Rappahannock Regional Jail on no bond.

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