The suspect in Saturday’s downtown two homicides, 20-year-old Craig Nordenson, has barricaded himself at the very coal tower where he killed 16-year-old Kate Johnson and 23-year-old Marcus Griffin. The coal tower, according to witnesses, is surrounded by police with guns drawn, megaphones out and spotlights. WVIR just now reported on this, and said that police aren’t certain if it’s the suspect or not, but that they believe it is. They also reported that Nordenson has an extensive criminal record, most recently convicted of robbery and grand theft auto, and recently accused of destroying a Charlottesville police van. It’s going to be a late night.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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I suspect that he’s going to kill himself. I don’t know him from Adam, but it certainly wouldn’t surprise me. I’m sure some people would gain some satisfaction from that. I just hope that the police can talk him down and take him into custody safely.
okay, cool… now whats going on at the marriot (ramada?) by trax… 5 police cars went that way fast a couple minutes ago.
So yeah, we were at the coal tower before 29. We’re so in the loop.
-DiggsBiggly
This is the most action this town has seen since that bad Charlie Sheen/Kristy Swanson movie hit Blockbuster. Well, that and some of the rugby road frat parties, but there weren’t any guns drawn megaphones spotlight kind of things going down with those.