By Randy Arrington
JOLLETT HOLLOW, July 12 — For nearly two weeks, the Page County Sheriff’s Office has been searching “around the clock” for the prime suspect in a June 29 fatal shooting in the Jollett Hollow area near the southern border of Page County. Following a suspicious fire on Sunday in the same area, the search has now intensified over the last few days and a number of other law enforcement agencies have been brought in to help, including U.S. Marshals.
“At my request, the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF) has joined the manhunt for Timothy Thomas Comer,” Page County Sheriff Chad Cubbage stated in a message on social media around midday on Wednesday.
At about 5:05 p.m. on June 29, the Page County Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a 911 call in reference to a “man down” in the 5600 block of Jollett Road. The site actually has an Elkton mailing address, but sits within the southern boundary of Page County not far from Naked Creek.
Upon the arrival of first responders from fire, emergency medical services (EMS) and law enforcement, a male identified as Gregory Lee Williams, 69, was “located on his property deceased from an apparent gunshot wound,” according to a press release issued July 1 by the Sheriff’s Office.
The incident was treated as a homicide and investigators from the Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation, while the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations assisted with processing the scene. Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Cave was made aware at the beginning of the incident and has been providing resources and legal guidance from his office as needed, according to the press release. The body was transported to the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Manassas for an autopsy.
“Since the onset of this incident, Page County Sheriff’s Investigators and Deputies have been working around the clock to bring closure to this case,” Sheriff Cubbage stated on the July 12 social media post. “Resources from the Virginia State Police, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Shenandoah Police Department, and now U.S. Marshals are aggressively pursuing all leads, tips, and information…Every available resource is being utilized.”
On Sunday, a structure fire was reported on the 5000 block of Jollett Road. The July 9 blaze was considered to be “suspicious in nature” when the scene was processed the next day by investigators from the Page County Sheriff’s Office, agents with Virginia State Police and a Loudon County Fire Marshal’s K9. While the Sheriff’s Office reported that, “This is an active an ongoing investigation and therefore, few details can be made public” — several sources have indicated that two bodies (believed to be a woman and her grandson) were found during the fire investigation. Sources have also indicated that law enforcement believes the blaze may be related to the search for Comer.
“As for any threats to public safety, the person of interest in the June 29th homicide investigation (Timothy Thomas Comer), is still wanted. Residents should be vigilant and report any suspicious activity as it is occurring,” read a July 11 statement from Sheriff Cubbage on social media while announcing the fire. “We, and other law enforcement resources are, and have been, actively tracking tips and leads however, many of the leads and tips are several hours or days old by the time they are reported to us.”
Comer is described by law enforcement as a “white male, age 55, 5’-4,” with Brown hair and Brown eyes.” He is wanted on a felony charge of possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony, and is a potential suspect in the June 29 homicide. Comer is considered armed and dangerous.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with Sheriff Cubbage, his team, and the Virginia State Police, to target and apprehend this dangerous fugitive,” U.S. Marshal Thomas Foster said in the July 12 social media release. “Sheriff Cubbage, and all officers involved in this manhunt, have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to proactively searching for Mr. Comer. The USMS is just another tool being leveraged by the Sheriff to bring this fugitive to justice and we will commit fully to aiding the Sheriff and his teams.”
According to Wednesday’s press release, CARFTF is a unit of trained U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and Task Force personnel who target the most violent of offenders. In addition to CARFTF, the USMS houses the Rapidly Advancing Manhunt program, a national initiative which incorporates the incident command principles, as well as brings to bear many resources of the USMS to aid partners in manhunts and apprehensions.
A large enforcement presence has been witnessed by residents in the Jollet Hollow and Naked Creek area, as well as in Rockingham County just north of Elkton.
“My staff and I are working around the clock to ensure that the appropriate resources are being utilized and deployed to find and capture Timothy Comer,” Sheriff Cubbage stated. “We will not stop until he is found. Anyone who is found to be harboring, assisting, or aiding Comer in any way, will be charged accordingly. We will utilize every available resource we have at our disposal.”
Due to active and fluid nature of the investigation, few details are being released at this time.
“As the investigation is ongoing, we will release additional details as when appropriate,” Sheriff Cubbage stated. “Integrity of this investigation is our priority. We are striving to do everything we can to ensure justice is brought to the person or persons responsible for any criminal acts. A very heavy police presence is in the area of Naked Creek and Jollett Road.”
The sheriff also wants to calm fears, dispel rumors and halt hysteria that has been growing on social media.
“I would also ask that the community stand together during this time,” Sheriff Cubbage added. “Remember law enforcement in your prayers. We have a gargantuan task ahead of us. Remember the friends and family of those affected by this tragedy. Remember and cover our community in prayer. The events of the last two weeks will forever impact us all.”
The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $2,500 to any person who supplies information as to the direct whereabouts of Timothy Thomas Comer. Citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant and to report any tips to the Page County Sheriff’s Office (540)743-6571, the U.S. Marshals Tips application, or to USMS84.TIPS@usdoj.gov.
Sheriff Cubbage has also reminded the public that information will be released about this ongoing investigation on an as-needed basis.
“If there is an immediate threat to the public, we will immediately release that information. Regardless of social media rumors, the Page County Sheriff’s Office and those assisting us, are committed to bringing justice to those who commit criminal acts. For this reason, some information cannot be shared until the appropriate time to do so. The investigation will dictate that appropriate time.,” the sheriff stated in the July 11 release.
“Always be vigilant. If you see something, know something, or hear something, please, say something.”
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$2,500? I guess better than $100 Wal-Mart gift certificate, but geez ..