A quiet Wednesday night in Staunton turned tragic on Maple Leaf Drive when an apparent illegal handgun deal ended in gunfire, leaving one teen dead and another critically wounded. The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 18-year-old Andrew “AJ” Wayne Mitts Jr., a senior at Buffalo Gap High School, died at the scene. A 19-year-old male victim was flown to a Charlottesville medical center with life-threatening wounds.
Deputies first heard about the shooting just before 7:46 p.m. on February 18. While they were heading to the call, dispatchers already knew two people had been shot. Officers, rescue personnel and fire crews rushed to the area and immediately began emergency efforts. Despite those efforts, AJ could not be saved.
When investigators scoured the scene, they came across a number of firearms. Officials believe the incident is connected to the unlawful sale of handguns, though details about how the transaction was supposed to work or who supplied the guns have not been released. So far, no arrests have been made.
Sheriff’s officials say they are still trying to determine what led up to the shooting. The circumstances have left neighbors on edge and many in the community demanding answers and accountability. Detectives are asking anyone with relevant information to reach out.
Mitts was known at school as a solid student with a kind disposition. His friends and teachers remember him as someone with plans and promise, making his sudden death even harder to accept. Classmates gathered Thursday morning, embracing one another and recalling moments from around campus.
Residents near Maple Leaf Drive described the chaos of hearing gunshots and the subsequent arrival of law enforcement. Some witnessed the helicopter lifting the second victim to urgent care, a stark reminder of how quickly ordinary life can be upended.
Officials maintain that there’s no broader threat to the public and that the shooting was not part of a larger crime spree. Still, the violence has sparked local discussion about guns, youth involvement and how communities can prevent similar tragedies.
As the probe continues, Buffalo Gap High and neighbors are holding space for grief and reflection. Students are sharing memories of AJ, planning tributes that highlight his life rather than the way it ended.
In the meantime, investigators piece together what happened that night, hoping to close gaps and bring justice while a town mourns a young life cut tragically short.
