Two Prince Edward Men Arrested in Homicide

PRINCE EDWARD CO. – A second Pamplin, Va., man has been arrested in the November 26 Prince Edward County shooting that is now being investigated as a homicide.

Virginia State Police took Robert D.A. Walker, 44, of Pamplin, Va., into custody Saturday, November 28, at an Appomattox County residence. Walker is being held at Piedmont Regional Jail on charges of first degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

At approximately 8:34 a.m., Thursday (Nov. 26), Virginia State Police Trooper A.C.S. Goss responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 3800 block of Height School Road in Prince Edward County. A 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier was traveling north on Height School Road when it ran off the right side of the road and struck a fence.

The driver of the car, Douglas Wheeler, 54, of Pamplin, Va., was pulled from the vehicle and as medical crews treated him, they discovered he was suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. Wheeler was flown to UVA Hospital, where he died in the afternoon of Friday, November 27.

Ricky L. Jennings, 56, of Pamplin, Va., and Walker were passengers in the car and were not injured in the crash. Jennings was taken into custody at the scene without incident; Walker fled the scene on foot.  A firearm was also recovered by state police near the crashed vehicle.

Jennings was charged Thursday with aggravated felonious assault, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and for being drunk in public. Jennings is currently being held at the Piedmont Regional Jail.

Anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or subsequent vehicle crash, and/or has information about the incident is encouraged to call the Virginia State Police at 434-352-7128 or at #77 on a cell phone or contact us by email at questions@vsp.virginia.gov.

The incident remains under investigation by Trooper Goss and the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Appomattox Field Office, in conjunction with the Prince Edward County Commonwealth’s Attorney.