CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Nysoun Gardner, the suspect in the Aug. 6 shooting at the Wawa service station on 5th Street Station Parkway that injured three people, turned himself into police on Wednesday, Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis told Cville Right Now.
Following a two week search, Kochis said the 20-year-old Gardner turned himself into CPD without incident at approximately 5:40 p.m. Wednesday.
“He’s currently in custody and that’s a good thing,” Kochis said. “And I will tell you that you’re seeing a trend. You know, we’ve seen multiple incidents where we’ve been looking for someone and placed charges on folks and they’ve turned themselves in. I think that says a lot to, not only our community working with law enforcement to say, ‘Hey we have those relationships. You know where this person is. Call them because you know we’re going to find you. If you’re wanted, we are going to come find you and its better that you come and turn yourself in to the police department or the magistrates office as opposed to us rolling up and having to come into your home and all that kind of stuff.’ I’m happy to say he has turned himself in, he’s in custody and he’ll have his day in court.”
Gardner, a previously convicted felon, has been charged with three counts of malicious wounding, three counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony and one count of possession of a firearm as a felon.
A 74-year-old man, 19-year-old man and 17-year-old juvenile male were injured in the incident in the parking lot of the Wawa.
CPD responded to a report of gunshots in the area of 5th St. SW and 5th St. Station Parkway at approximately 1:37 a.m. and immediately applied tourniquets to all three victims. All three were reported to be in stable condition following the incident.
“This rapid response is believed to have been instrumental in saving all three lives,” Kochis said during a press conference on the afternoon of August 6th. “And I couldn’t be more proud of the officers who saved those lives this morning.”
He also believes the trend of suspects surrendering in a non violent manner is connected to the ongoing efforts of his department to build community trust and he hopes it continues.
