Crime
33-year-old Nathaniel Pridemore charged in Lynchburg shooting death of 19-year-old Cash Gaudio
Upon conducting the welfare check, an adult female was found deceased.
Lynchburg, Va. – The suspect identified as Nathaniel Lee Pridemore, 33, of Lynchburg, is in custody and has been charged in connection with the shooting death of Cash Gaudio, 19, of Lynchburg, on Fairlea Court.
Pridemore was transported to the Blue Ridge Regional Jail, where he is being held without bond on the following charges:
- 2nd Degree Murder
- Use of a Firearm
- Felony Child Endangerment
- Discharge of a Firearm in the City
- Discharge of a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle
- Reckless Handling
- Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm
As the investigation into this incident unfolded, it was determined that a welfare check at Pridemore’s residence was necessary.
Upon conducting the welfare check in the 1400 block of Tunbridge Road, an adult female was found deceased.
There is no ongoing threat to the community at this time, and the LPD is not seeking any additional persons of interest.
The child involved in the incident is safe and will soon be reunited with family.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
At approximately 3:45 PM today, the Lynchburg Police Department and Lynchburg Fire Department responded to a report of a shooting in the 100 block of Fairlea Court.
One adult male was transported to Lynchburg General Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. A person of interest has been detained.
There is no active threat to the public.
Anyone who may have information about this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Bond (434) 455-6161 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900. Enter an anonymous tip online at http://p3tips.com or use the P3 app on a mobile device.
This is an active and ongoing investigation, and any additional information will be released as an update to this news release.
Crime
2 Christian County deputies killed in the line of duty, suspect Richard Bird also dead
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
Christian County, Mo. — A massive multi-agency manhunt in Christian County has ended with the suspect dead, but not before claiming the lives of two sheriff’s deputies and injuring two others.
According to Brad Cole, the suspect, Richard Bird, was shot and killed by law enforcement officers early Tuesday morning near the roundabout on State Highway 160 close to Reeds Spring.
Authorities confirmed that two deputies with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office were killed in the line of duty during the operation.
One of the fallen deputies has been identified as 30-year-old Deputy Gabriel Ramirez.
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
In addition to the two fatalities, one Christian County deputy and one deputy from the Webster County Sheriff’s Office were wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
Sheriff Cole stated that their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The violence began around 4:00 p.m. Monday when a Christian County deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of State Highway 160 and Route HH, south of Highlandville.
During that stop, Deputy Ramirez was fatally shot, prompting a Blue Alert and a large-scale manhunt for Bird.
After Bird’s vehicle was located abandoned, officers from across the Ozarks converged on the area. Sheriff Cole said approximately 100 officers, deputies, and state troopers participated in the search effort, along with federal partners including the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the ATF.
The search continued for hours into the early morning. A helicopter operated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol detected a moving heat signature in a wooded area near Reeds Spring. As deputies approached the location, Bird reportedly opened fire. Law enforcement officers returned fire, fatally striking the suspect and ending the threat.
While the suspect was neutralized, the outcome has left the community in mourning. Two deputies lost their lives in the line of duty, and two others were injured.
Sheriff Cole described the loss as devastating for the department and the broader community. Families of the fallen deputies are now grieving, and colleagues across multiple agencies are reflecting on the risks law enforcement officers face daily.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing as authorities continue to process the scene and review the circumstances surrounding the shootings.