Police Search for Motive in Va. Slayings
Derril Holly
Associated Press
ABC News
________
Fairfax, Virginia (US):
Police said Monday that a Virginia man who killed four people, then himself, on Christmas Day had a history of mental problems.
Still, police were trying to determine a motive for the rampage.
Investigators believe Nathan W. Cheatham shot and killed his mother in the driveway of her McLean home.
He then drove 10 miles to a home in Great Falls and fired more than 50 shots that killed three other people, before turning the gun on himself. Cheatham, 27, had been arrested on several occasions by Fairfax County police for what they described as "minor infractions." Court records obtained by WRC-TV show that Cheatham was arrested in 2000 for driving on a revoked license and in 2001 for assault on a police officer, escape and carrying a concealed weapon. He spent 10 days in jail in 2002 for possession of cocaine and other drug offenses.
Police also said Cheatham had a history of psychiatric problems but did not elaborate. He had been living with his mother, Sheila G. Cheatham, 53, for at least two weeks.
Dec 26, 2005
Derril Holly
Associated Press
ABC News
________
Fairfax, Virginia (US):
Police said Monday that a Virginia man who killed four people, then himself, on Christmas Day had a history of mental problems.
Still, police were trying to determine a motive for the rampage.
Investigators believe Nathan W. Cheatham shot and killed his mother in the driveway of her McLean home.
He then drove 10 miles to a home in Great Falls and fired more than 50 shots that killed three other people, before turning the gun on himself. Cheatham, 27, had been arrested on several occasions by Fairfax County police for what they described as "minor infractions." Court records obtained by WRC-TV show that Cheatham was arrested in 2000 for driving on a revoked license and in 2001 for assault on a police officer, escape and carrying a concealed weapon. He spent 10 days in jail in 2002 for possession of cocaine and other drug offenses.
Police also said Cheatham had a history of psychiatric problems but did not elaborate. He had been living with his mother, Sheila G. Cheatham, 53, for at least two weeks.
Dec 26, 2005
