GLOUCESTER, Va. — A young woman was killed, and a man was hurt in a double-shooting in Gloucester County early Monday morning, the county’s sheriff’s office said.
Monday afternoon, deputies identified the woman who died as 18-year-old Skyler Merenda, and say a 20-year-old man had been shot in the leg but is recovering in a hospital.
The sheriff’s office said the shooting happened just after 2 a.m. on Bufflehead Drive, which is in the Carter’s Cove neighborhood off Aberdeen Creek Road.
Investigators said based on witness testimony, an “unknown suspect” allegedly opened fire inside the home where the two victims were residing.
According to Randy Burak, the Carter’s Cove HOA president, the property itself has had a years-long history of resident complaints about the activity surrounding the home.
“Noise was a big one, traffic in and out at higher rates of speed than what’s allowed on the roads here. The speed is 25 miles per hour max here,” Burak said.
Officials with GCSO cited that there have been “additional disturbance calls” to the same property over the course of the last several months.
“I would say in the last three to four months, it’s gotten louder. More complaints I’ve definitely had from residents,” Burak said.
Gloucester County records show there were at least four recorded incidents in the 4300 block of Bufflehead Drive since January 1, 2022, including two “noise disturbance” incidents in the month of July.
Burak added that this is believed to be an isolated incident and that there is no threat to his immediate community.
“Nobody wants to see that happen anywhere, especially in your backyard,” he said.
At this time, police are searching for any possible suspect information. Police believe the suspect was unknown and entered the house and began shooting.
If you’re a resident of the subdivision, police ask you to check any home surveillance systems, like Ring doorbells or security cameras, for activity between 1 a.m. and 2:30 a.m.
Investigators plan to share more details as they develop. If you know anything that could help deputies investigating this case, please call the sheriff’s office at 804-693-3890.
