I-64 reopens after shooting-spree closure

Six hours after four vehicles were shot along an 11-mile stretch of the highway, The News Virginian’s news partner, NBC 29, is reporting that Interstate 64 has reopened.

There is a 3- to 4-mile backup, however.

At least two people were injured early Thursday morning when their vehicles were shot on Interstate 64 near an overpass on the east side of Afton Mountain, state police told The News Virginian, closing a 20-mile stretch from milepost 96 in Augusta County near Waynesboro to 118 in Albemarle County.

Sgt. Dave Cooper said four vehicles were shot along an 11-mile stretch of Interstate 64. The first report of shootings came in at 12:10 a.m. Thursday.

An Augusta Medical Center spokesperson said two drivers were treated and released.

A Swoope man was treated at AMC for a shoulder injury after a bullet hit the windshield of his Mazda 3. A woman in the vehicle was not injured.

A woman driving a van was also being treated for minor injuries in a separate shooting incident in the same area, police said.

According to a 2:35 a.m. press release from the Virginia Department of Transportation, all exits between 96 in Augusta County and 118 in Albemarle are closed due to the police activity. VDOT does not know how long the interstate will remain closed. Lou Hatter, a VDOT spokesman, said there’s a 2½-mile back up along the interstate near Waynesboro. Traffic is being diverted to U.S. 250 at both ends of the incident.

“It’s best people avoid the area entirely,“ Hatter said when reached early Thursday morning.