Stafford Shooting Stemmed From Custody Exchange: Police

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — Shots were fired after an attempted custody exchange in Stafford County on Friday evening, according to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office. No injuries were reported and authorities said a suspect was taken into custody.

The incident was reported to the sheriff's office around 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6. Deputies responded to the scene in the 900 block of Anvil Road, where they learned that a suspect had fired shots and was fleeing the area in a silver Ford Edge, according to the police report.

One deputy on the scene found a vehicle matching the description and "conducted a high risk stop in the 200 block of Warrenton Road," the sheriff's office said. The driver of the Ford Edge, who was identified as Duane Coles, was taken into custody without further incident. Authorities claimed they found a handgun in Coles's vehicle.

Through their investigation, the sheriff's office determined that the incident started during a custody exchange. "The victim arrived in Olde Forge to pick up his child," the sheriff's office said. "An argument ensued between the victim and the child’s mother."

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At some point, Coles, who is an acquaintance of the child's mother, exited a nearby townhome. Police claimed that Coles fired multiple rounds from a handgun into the air.

When the victim tried to flee the scene in his own vehicle, authorities believed that Coles shot multiple rounds at the fleeing car. The victim's vehicle had two bullet holes, police said.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

Coles was charged with two counts of attempted malicious wounding, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 28 in Stafford General District Court.