News Writing Project

Twenty year old thought to have killed his mother, shot his father

Story Highlights:

• A 20-year-old Lynchburg resident, Ben Wagner, allegedly shot his mother and father in their home Wednesday, Oct. 2.
• Police arrested him and are investigating to see if he is guilty.
• Wagner will go to court Oct. 7 to set a date for trial.

Ben Wagner, the suspect, is a
20-year-old employee of
Burger King.

Ben Wagner, a 20-year-old Lynchburg resident, is a suspect in the murder of his mother, Dianne Wagner, and attempted murder of his father, Bert Wagner.

A 911 call came in at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 2 from an anonymous caller, reporting that gunshots were heard from the Wagner house. When officers Shane Barrow and Mindy Johnson arrived, they found Dianne Wagner dead in her kitchen and Bert Wagner passed out in the garage. Both suffered gunshot wounds. Dianne Wagner died of two gunshots to her chest, and Bert Wagner had a gunshot in his leg.

Bert Wagner was rushed to Lynchburg General Hospital. A spokesperson from the hospital stated that Bert came through surgery with no complications and is in recovery.

Ben Wagner was reported as carrying a gun and speeding off in his white Camaro. Police issued an all-points bulletin at 6:15 p.m. Ben Wagner's car was spotted at a Shell gas station 8:21 that evening. Police were able to take Ben into custody peacefully from the store.

Police found a 9mm handgun in Ben's car and are currently testing it to see if it matches the bullets from Dianne and Bert Wagner's wounds. Ben is scheduled to appear in Lynchburg General District Court on Oct. 7. He will faces charges for one count first degree murder, one count attempted murder, and one count malicious wounding. His official trial date will also be set.

"I lost my wife and my son. Ben may still be alive but things will never be the same. I will stand by my son's side and continue to give him the love he has always had," Bert Wagner, in a media interview, said.

Police have stated that Ben Wagner has had prior arrests. They include:

• an altercation at his job
• finding cocaine in a car that he was riding in, after the driver of the car was stopped
• speeding, with a blood alcohol level of .15

No charges were filed for the first two arrests, but  a $1,200 was paid fine for speeding.

The Wagners live at 134 Donald Street in Lynchburg.

"The Wagners seemed like good people. They kept to themselves mostly. Ben was a nice boy who used to cut my lawn," Jane Smith, a neighbor, said.

"This crime has shaken the city to its core. We have made this case a priority and are working to restore peace to the Wagners' neighborhood," Police detective Randi Bennet said.

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Local Man Suspected of Murder/Attempted Murder of Parents
Ben Wagner, a 20-year-old Lynchburg resident, was arrested for killing his mother and shooting his father. Police are investigating to determine if he is guilty or innocent.