BRISTOL, Va. — Authorities arrested one man at the scene of a fatal shooting of a “drifter” found in a creek bed off Lee Highway near Exit 5 on Interstate 81 early Sunday morning.
Bristol, Va., Police Department Capt. Maynard Ratcliff told the Times-News on Sunday that Dan Buchanan, 34, of Bristol, Va., has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting and remains held in the Bristol, Va., Jail without bond.
Police were dispatched to a shooting at 1971 Lee Highway shortly before 1 a.m.
Upon their arrival, police found the body of 24-year-old Chase Robins, who had no known address.
“When officers arrived, we found the male subject lying on the creek bank just a few yards off the roadway,” Ratcliff said. “He was killed by at least one gunshot wound. We took (Buchanan) into custody at the scene. When we arrived on scene (Buchanan) was there.”
Ratcliff said a firearm was recovered from Buchanan, but the type of weapon wasn’t released. The shooting remains under investigation, and police aren’t releasing information about a possible motive.
“We don’t have a fixed address for the victim, and apparently from what we’re gathering he was a drifter,” Ratcliff said. “He may have some ties to Tazewell, Va., but we’re not really sure on that yet. We’re not sure what connection he had with the shooter either.”
Ratcliff said the shooting remains under investigation.