On the evening of Friday, March 29, 2024, a dispute in Heathsville, Virginia, culminated in the shooting death of Seth Dutton. The 41-year-old male was found with a gunshot wound by Northumberland County Sheriff's deputies and EMS responders along the 700 block of Cedar Point Road. Despite efforts to save him, Dutton succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Deputies arrested 21-year-old Bobby Ray Landman of Lottsburg at the scene of the incident around 10 p.m. Landman was charged with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was taken into custody without incident and is being held without bond at the Northern Neck Regional Jail.
During a bond hearing on April 8, differing accounts of the events leading to Dutton's death were presented. Landman’s defense attorney claimed the shooting was an act of self-defense. The defense argued that an escalation occurred after Dutton allegedly pointed a gun at Landman's fiancée. This led to Landman challenging Dutton to a fight and firing two shots into the ground. The defense contended that Dutton then 'snuck around' to a neighboring property, where he 'lunged at and struck' Landman. It was at this point, the defense stated, that Landman unholstered his gun and shot Dutton, believing Dutton was reaching for his own weapon.
The Northumberland Commonwealth's Attorney contested this narrative, recommending that bond be denied based on the use of a firearm and the weight of the evidence. The prosecution stated that Landman was armed and had been drinking, and that he had called out the victim and fired shots even after his cousin, who lived next door to Dutton, told him to go home. The prosecutor asserted that Landman was unable to control his emotions and shot an unarmed man. The judge ultimately denied bond, expressing concerns about Landman's judgment, use of alcohol, and the potential risk to the community, stating, 'This is just chaos.'
