Three Critical After Shootings, House Fire

"BEDFORD, VA — Investigators said loud music was the catalyst to Monday’s shooting and standoff that left a father and son in critical condition.

"The man charged in the shooting, Dennis Roy Caldwell, also remains hospitalized for injuries he received in the blaze that consumed his house while he remained inside, said Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown on Friday.

"Dennis Caldwell, 55, is charged with two counts each of aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, after investigators said he shot his brother, 61-year-old Glen Caldwell, and Glen Caldwell’s son, Michael, 35.

"After the shooting, investigators said Dennis Caldwell went into his house at 1497 Haven Heights Drive in Bedford, refused to come out for negotiators, and ultimately set his own house on fire.

"That’s when tactical team members and firefighters went into the house and found Dennis Caldwell in the basement in a semiconscious state.

"Dennis Caldwell remains under constant guard at the University of Virginia Medical Center, where he was taken for treatment for burns to his airway, Brown said. He was initially placed on a ventilator but has since started breathing on his own.

"The dispute between the two brothers had been going on for more than two years.

"Court records show not guilty verdicts against both men in December 2009 for noise violation complaints. In August 2010, a not guilty judgment was entered in another noise complaint filed against Dennis Caldwell by his brother Glen Caldwell.

"Then last February, court records show Dennis Caldwell accused his brother Glen of assault. Glen Caldwell was found not guilty in Bedford County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

"Deputies initially responded to the shooting Monday just after 3:30 p.m. to find Glen and Michael Caldwell lying in the yard at 1497 Haven Heights Drive. They both had been shot more than once.

"Dennis Caldwell, investigators said, was inside his house when Deputy Allison Key arrive and was firing a weapon, though investigators said they are not sure if he was firing at Key. Brown said Dennis Caldwell was armed with a .45-caliber automatic handgun, a 20-gauge shotgun and `a large amount` of ammunition.

"Negotiators tried to talk Dennis Caldwell out of the house, but he refused, telling the negotiator he would burn his house down, and wanted to die before breaking off all communication."

From The News & Advance...