18-year-old charged with malicious wounding after shooting in Ridgeway

Matthew Nowlin, of Martinsville, faces multiple felony charges

Matthew Nowlin

RIDGEWAY, Va.The Henry County Sheriff’s Office says a man is recovering after being shot early Sunday morning in Ridgeway.

The Martinsville/Henry County Emergency 911 Center received a call that someone had been shot at 545 Grand Lake Drive in Ridgeway around 8:30 a.m.

Recommended Videos



Deputies found 18-year-old Marcus Lee Spencer with a gunshot wound to his hand and arm.

Spencer was transported to the Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County for non-life-threatening injuries.

A suspect vehicle description was given to deputies. They soon found the vehicle on Carver Road, where deputies conducted a traffic stop and took the suspect, 18-year-old Matthew Elijah Nowlin, of Martinsville, into custody.

Nowlin is charged with malicious wounding, breaking and entering while armed, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony and shooting into an occupied dwelling. All of these charges are felonies. 

Through their investigation, deputies determined an altercation occurred between Spencer and Nowlin, culminating in Nowlin attempting to force his way into Spencer’s home with a handgun. Nowlin fired the gun into the home, striking Spencer.

Nowlin is currently being held in the Henry County Jail without bond.

This incident remains under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriff's Office at 276-638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463).

 


About the Author:

Jessica anchors 10 News on Saturdays and Sundays at 6 and 11 p.m. You can also catch her reporting during the week.