PRESS RELEASE – GUNSHOT WOUND

WARREN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
200 SKYLINE VISTA DRIVE · FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA 22630
Mark A. Butler, Sheriff
PRESS RELEASE – GUNSHOT WOUND |
On the 19th of May 2023, Warren Memorial Hospital staff reported that a gunshot wound victim had arrived at the hospital to seek treatment. This report was initially investigated by the Front Royal Police Department who quickly determined that the shooting incident took place outside the jurisdiction of town limits. Warren County Deputies were contacted to respond and took over the investigation.
During the investigation, it was determined that the victim sustained the injury from a reckless discharge of a 9mm Glock handgun. At approximately 2215hrs. the female victim was operating a motor vehicle in transit from Shenandoah County via Rt 55/Strasburg Rd. Occupants had recently left a residence where many were consuming alcohol to include the suspect, Nathaniel Liam Duncan, 19 years of age. Witness statements indicated that Duncan produced the Glock firearm and began showing it off. Several of the witnesses indicated they were unaware of the existence of the firearm until it was produced. One female passenger, seated next to Duncan, urged him to put it away as it was unsafe under the circumstances. In the process of handling the firearm, Duncan negligently discharged the firearm sending a bullet through the driver’s seat and into the body of the driver. The female victim was able to get all intoxicated occupants to a place of residency before transporting herself to the hospital for treatment.
Duncan was located at a residence in Warren County and taken into custody without incident. Deputies also recovered the suspected Glock firearm used in this incident which was concealed in a shed outside of the same residence. Warren County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Front Royal Police Department for their involvement and assistance in this case which aided in the quick handling of the investigation.
Nathaniel Liam Duncan was charged with Code of Virginia 18.2–56.1 – Felony Reckless handling of a firearm causing serious bodily injury of another resulting in permanent and significant physical impairment.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Lieutenant M. Glavis at (540) 635‑7100 ext. 1
Approved for release: Captain R. C. Mumaw
UNCLASSIFIED | FOR PUBLIC RELEASE