On a Monday afternoon, the community of Crozet, Virginia, was shattered by a sudden act of violence in the parking lot of a Harris Teeter grocery store. Peter Lock Martin, a 43-year-old male, was leaving the store on February 17, 2025, when his life was tragically cut short. The incident unfolded in a matter of seconds, leaving a lasting impact on all who witnessed it and the community at large.
The perpetrator, identified as 28-year-old Justin M.
Barbour, also from Crozet, arrived in the shopping center parking lot around 1:33 p.m. Within approximately a minute, he began firing a rifle, striking Martin, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Barbour then shot a second victim, 68-year-old Diane G. Spangler, as she sat in her vehicle. She was rushed to the UVA Medical Center in critical condition but later succumbed to her injuries. Investigators believe the attack was a random act of violence, as no prior connection was found between Barbour and the victims.
The rampage was halted by the heroic actions of an off-duty federal law enforcement officer who happened to be exiting the grocery store as the shots rang out. This officer engaged Barbour with their personal weapon, fatally shooting him and preventing further loss of life. The entire tragic event, from the first shot fired to the moment the gunman was stopped, lasted less than one minute. Police later revealed that Barbour had fired 28 rounds.
In the aftermath, authorities confirmed that Barbour had previous contact with law enforcement, though he did not possess a criminal record. Reports indicated that his family had raised concerns about his mental health and his access to firearms prior to the shooting. The investigation found additional firearms in Barbour's vehicle. The heroic officer who intervened was not injured and, according to police, would not face any charges for their actions. Peter Lock Martin was remembered as a devoted husband and a loving father to two daughters, who worked in the financial sector and was an active volunteer in his community.
