Henry County, Virginia – A Virginia man, Joshua Corbett Coleman, 30, is facing two counts of first-degree murder after allegedly killing his wife and another man during a violent rampage on Tuesday.
According to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Coleman murdered his wife, Mandy Michelle Coleman, 22, before tracking down 68-year-old William Leroy Morey, who had come to check on her, and shooting him dead as well.
The Crime Unfolds
At around 1 p.m., law enforcement received a report of a man shot dead outside a home on Meeks Road. Upon arrival, deputies found Morey lying dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
They then entered the home and discovered Mandy Coleman, who had been shot in the head. Morey, it was later revealed, had come to check on her well-being.
A Desperate Search for the Suspect
Investigators quickly zeroed in on Joshua Coleman as the suspect, though he was not present at the scene. The authorities also became concerned upon realizing that two young children, ages 10 months and 2 years, were living in the house and were missing.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Virginia State Police, launched a coordinated effort to locate the suspect and his children.
Arrest and Confession
At approximately 2:40 p.m., less than two hours after the initial call, a traffic stop was made on Coleman’s vehicle, where both children were found safe and unharmed. Coleman, armed with both a handgun and an AR-15 rifle, was arrested without incident and placed in the Henry County Adult Detention Center without bond.
Upon arrest, Coleman confessed to murdering his wife and Morey, telling authorities that he had shot his wife during an argument in which he accused her of cheating. He then allegedly placed his children in his car and went looking for Morey, knowing that he would likely be arrested.
Coleman initially went to Morey’s house, but when he didn’t find him there, he returned to his own home and allegedly shot Morey dead.
Motive and Impact on the Community
Morey had no known connection to the Colemans, though it is unclear why he was targeted after the murder of Coleman’s wife.
Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis described the situation as a “heartbreaking” and “tragic” event, which had deeply affected both families and the community. He expressed relief that the children were recovered safely, calling it a “miracle”.
A neighbor reportedly called 911 after seeing two vehicles arrive at the house, followed by gunshots.
Charges and Court Date
Joshua Corbett Coleman faces two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, one count of shooting from an occupied vehicle, and two counts of child abuse and neglect. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday morning.
