Lynchburg police arrest suspect after shooting at James Crossing Apartments

LYNCHBURG, Virginia. – A 44-year-old man faces multiple charges in connection with a shooting at a Lynchburg apartment complex, Lynchburg police said.

At around 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Lynchburg police were called to the James Crossing Apartments. When they arrived at the scene, they found a shotgun on Greenfield Drive and handgun shell casings scattered in the parking lot. Officers said witnesses told them they saw a man dressed all in black flee the scene.

While searching the premises, officers saw a man matching the description of the suspect driving away in a taxi and were able to stop the taxi before it left the apartment complex.

When they searched the vehicle, they found a shotgun shell in the area where the suspect, later identified as 44-year-old Mitchell Larnell Bennett Jr. of Madison Heights, was sitting.

Authorities said Bennett Jr. also dropped a gun during his arrest. After further investigation, they learned Bennett Jr. fired a gun into the parking lot following an earlier altercation.

Bennett Jr. is a convicted felon and faces several charges, including:

• Possession of a firearm by convicted felons

• 3 cases of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon

• Firing a firearm into an occupied building

• Firing a firearm in the city

• 2 cases of damage to property (serious crime)

Bennett Jr. is currently being held without bail at the Lynchburg Blue Ridge Regional Jail.

Lynchburg Police are actively investigating this incident and believe additional individuals may be involved in the case. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Lynchburg Police at (434) 455-6041 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at http://p3tips.com or through the P3 app on mobile devices by texting CVCS to 738477. Message and data rates may apply; P3 terms and privacy policy are available online.