On September 5, 2026 at approximately 11:41AM the Culpeper County E-911 Center received several 911 phone calls reporting a shooting with injury at a business located at 305 N Main St. Culpeper PD officers and detectives along with Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Emergency Medical Services immediately responded to the area.

Within minutes of the initial 911 calls, law enforcement was on scene. They worked to gain control of the building while simultaneously attempting to contact anyone inside and evacuate innocent citizens from nearby areas. Witnesses on scene confirmed that an injured victim was also still inside the business with the shooter. Law enforcement located two adults inside the business, both with apparent gunshot injuries. One female adult had multiple gunshot wounds, was evacuated by medical services, and transported to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The other person, identified as Santiago Villamizar-Castro, 51, of Culpeper, was declared deceased on scene.

Based on the preliminary investigation and evidence, Villamizar-Castro was the shooter. He and the victim had a prior domestic relationship, and Villamizar-Castro had gone to the business specifically to target the victim. After attempting to murder the victim and prior to the arrival of law enforcement, Villamizar-Castro died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The involved firearm was recovered from the scene.

At no time was there any indication of danger to the rest of the community. Current information indicates that this was an isolated incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim for her full recovery from this violent act,” said Chief C. Settle. “We know this was a terrifying event for our community, and that it’ll have a lasting impact. Domestic violence has no place in our community. If you or someone you know is being abused, stalked, or harassed by a domestic partner please reach out for help and services. No one deserves to live in fear.”

Culpeper PD thanks the Culpeper Sheriff’s Office and our fellow first responder partners for their assistance with this incident.

This remains an active and on-going investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to email tips@culpeperva.gov. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can submit tips by calling Culpeper Crime Solvers at 540-727-0300 or submitting an online tip at culpeperpd.org.

If you or someone you know needs help escaping an abusive relationship, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224. You can also visit https://www.thehotline.org/ for information on how to identify the different forms of abuse, and how to support a loved one in an abusive relationship. For local Culpeper support and services, citizens can also contact Services to Abused Families, Inc. (SAFE) at 800-825-8876 or https://www.safejourneys.org. For other Virginia resources, visit the Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance at https://vsdvalliance.org. If it’s an emergency, citizens should call or text 911.

Attached photo: The incident location

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