On what should have been a festive Christmas morning in 2005, a horrific act of violence shattered the peace in Great Falls, Virginia, claiming the life of 19-year-old Adam Sebastian Price. The young man, along with his mother and a houseguest, became the tragic victims of a murder-suicide that began miles away and ended in their own home.
The day's grim events were set in motion by 27-year-old Nathan Cheatham of McLean.
For reasons that remain unclear, Cheatham first shot and killed his 53-year-old mother, Sheila Cheatham, at their residence. Following this initial act of violence, he drove to the Great Falls home of the Price family. The household was a place known for its open doors, a haven for the friends of Adam and his brother, Alex. Their mother, 50-year-old Janina Price, had created a welcoming environment for many young people, offering them a place to stay when in need.
Upon his arrival at the Price residence, Cheatham opened fire, fatally shooting Janina, Adam, and a 20-year-old houseguest, Christopher Buro. In a fortunate turn of events, Adam’s 20-year-old brother, Alex, managed to hide from the assailant and escaped the home once the shooting ceased. After murdering three innocent people, Cheatham then turned the gun on himself, ending his own life and leaving a trail of devastation and unanswered questions. As the perpetrator died at the scene, there were no arrests or subsequent trial. The incident left the community in shock, grappling with the senseless loss of four lives.
