Hunter A. Bates; Authorities ID Mecklenburg County shooting victim; police hunt for suspect
Hunter A. Bates – The Virginia State Police (VSP) are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect wanted in connection with a fatal shooting in Mecklenburg County. Authorities say the incident occurred Thursday along Interstate 85 northbound near the five-mile marker, resulting in the death of a young man.
The suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Jason Allen Glidewell from Bracey. VSP reports that he is wanted on charges of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Officials have stressed that Glidewell should be considered armed and dangerous, and they are urging anyone who encounters him or has information about his whereabouts to contact the police immediately.
Glidewell is described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 160 pounds. Investigators believe he may have ties to the Richmond and Henrico areas, and at the time of the shooting, he is believed to have been driving a silver 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche with Virginia license plate TFN 1004. Authorities are actively searching for both Glidewell and the vehicle, as locating them is crucial to advancing the investigation.
The shooting was reported to the VSP shortly before 4 p.m. on August 28. When troopers arrived at the scene, they discovered a Honda Civic that had veered off the roadway and ended up in a culvert. Inside the vehicle was 20-year-old Hunter A. Bates, who was pronounced dead at the scene. A female passenger, also in the car at the time, was transported to a local hospital for treatment but has since been released.
Authorities have not publicly detailed the events leading up to the shooting or the relationship between Glidewell and the victims. However, the VSP is actively investigating the circumstances of the incident to determine what led to the deadly confrontation.
State police are urging residents in the area and anyone traveling along the Interstate to be vigilant. Because Glidewell is considered armed, authorities emphasize that members of the public should not attempt to approach or apprehend him and should instead contact law enforcement immediately if they have information.
Anyone with knowledge about Glidewell’s location, the silver Chevrolet Avalanche, or any other details relevant to the case is asked to contact the VSP Division 3 dispatch at 1-800-552-0962 or the Division 1 dispatch at 804-750-8758. Tips from the public are considered essential in cases involving armed suspects and can greatly assist law enforcement in safely resolving the situation.
The Mecklenburg County shooting highlights ongoing concerns regarding firearm violence on highways and emphasizes the importance of community cooperation in helping police locate dangerous individuals. Authorities continue to investigate the incident while maintaining a heightened state of alert in the surrounding areas.
