On February 25, 2017 at 1:24 a.m., Tappahannock Police responded to a fight in progress call in the parking lot and grass area at Roma’s Restaurant. Upon arrival, officers heard one shot from a firearm and observed a large crowd and several groups of people fighting. Officers were unable to locate the shooter who had apparently departed upon their arrival. As officers encountered the disorderly groups who refused to stop fighting, OC spray was used to disperse the crowds. Upon encountering several persons involved in one of the fights, Officer D.E. Gray, Jr., noticed one of the subjects had a firearm in his hand and after being challenged by Officer Gray, dropped the weapon and ran from the scene. The subject was captured shortly afterwards and placed under arrest. The subject was identified as Brian Elliot Watts, age 32, of King William County. One semi-automatic weapon was taken which was identified as being stolen from Howard County, Maryland. Watts was charged with Possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony, Possession of a stolen firearm, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. Watts is incarcerated at the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center in Saluda.
Another subject was later charged as a result of this incident. Shakera Q. Stewart, age 30, of Tappahannock, was served with arrest warrants on February 25, 2017, and charged with Disorderly conduct and Obstruction of Justice. Stewart is also incarcerated at the MPRSC in Saluda.
There were no known injuries involved with this incident and this matter remains under investigation.
The Tappahannock Police Department is actively pursuing leads in this case and was assisted at the scene by the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Warsaw Police Department, and the Virginia State Police. The public is asked to report any information regarding this incident immediately to the Essex County Sheriff’s Department dispatch center at 443-3347 or the Tappahannock Police Department at 443-3992.
