20-year-old suspected of murdering his parents

20-year-old arrested and charged with murder of mother, attempted murder of father

• Dianne Wagner died after being shot twice in the chest.
• Bert Wagner left unconscious after being shot in the leg.
• Alleged killer has been charged with one count of first degree murder, one count of attempted murder, one count of malicious wounding.

Lead suspect, Ben Wagner, 20, at Campbell County Jail in Rustburg, VA.

The murder and attempted murder of a middle-aged married couple in Lynchburg, Virginia leads police to believe the victims’ 20-year-old son is the lead suspect.  

Ben Wagner, 20, resident at 134 Donald Street, was arrested on Wednesday night for one count of first degree murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of malicious wounding. Wagner will appear in Lynchburg General District Court, Monday, Oct. 7.

A 911 call from a neighbor said that multiple gunshots were fired at the Wagner residence on Donald Street. Parents of Ben Wagner, Dianne Wagner, 50, and Bert Wagner, 48, were the victims of a brutal shooting that took the life of Dianne Wagner and left Bert Wagner unconscious.  

"The Wagners seemed like good people. They kept to themselves mostly. Ben was a nice boy who used to cut my lawn,” neighbor Jane Smith said.

“This crime has shaken the city to its core. We have made this case a priority and are working to restore peace to the Wagner’s neighborhood,” Police Detective Randi Bennett said.

Officers Shane Barrow and Mindy Johnson were dispatched to the victims’ house. Detective Randi Bennett arrived shortly after.

Wagner residence, where the victims were shot.

Upon arrival to the house, police reported that Dianne Wagner’s body was found in the kitchen with two gunshot wounds to her chest and Bert Wagner was found lying unconscious in the garage with a gunshot wound in his leg.

Bert Wagner was taken to Lynchburg General Hospital where he went into immediate surgery. Hospital spokesperson says that Bert Wagner is currently recovering from the leg surgery that went as planned.

After the surgery, Bert Wagner gives the police a formal statement saying that his son had shot him in the leg after returning home from work at Burger King.

Around 5:30 p.m. the Wagners’ neighbor, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the police that he saw Ben Wagner carrying a gun as he jumped into his white Camaro and sped away.

At 8:21 p.m. police found the Camaro parked outside the Shell gas station on Lee Highway where Ben Wagner had gone inside for a snack.

Police found a 9 mm handgun in the back of the Camaro that is currently being tested to see if it is the murder weapon.

The arrest went smoothly, the police stated, and Ben Wagner was taken into custody.

The police report that Ben Wagner also has prior arrests such as:

•        DUI  
•        Altercation at work
•        Possession of Cocaine

“We are confident we have the one and only suspect behind bars for this crime. All the evidence we have collected points to him being the only suspect,” Police detective Bennett said.

Although Bert Wagner admits that his relationship with his son will never be the same, he promises to continue to love his son the way he always has.

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