A grand jury in Lunenburg County indicted 47-year-old Jonathan A. Bailey of Buffalo Junction on four felony counts—including homicide—following a fatal hunting incident that claimed the life of 54-year-old William C. Gaulding III on February 17, 2025.
On the evening of February 17, the Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office alerted the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) to the tragedy, which occurred on Tuckers Road in Keysville.
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Bailey, who was predator hunting with another individual, fired a shot that hit Gaulding, a Victoria resident who was also hunting in the area. Authorities determined that Bailey’s actions were marked by negligence, leading to four felony charges: homicide, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, assault in the commission of a felony, and reckless handling of a firearm. Bailey is also charged with hunting with a firearm while intoxicated and shooting across a roadway.
Major Ryan Shuler of the DWR condemned the incident, stating, “This was a tragic incident that occurred due to negligence and a disregard for safety by Jonathan Bailey.”
“These indictments were secured so justice can be sought,” Shuler added.
Bailey surrendered to authorities at the Lunenburg Courthouse on October 8 and is currently being held without bond. His arraignment is scheduled for October 14.
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