TASHA COBBSJULY 22, 2025NEWS

RIDGEWAY, Va: wrote that A tragic domestic-related shooting in Henry County claimed two lives Tuesday afternoon and sparked an urgent search for two missing children. Authorities have confirmed that the children were found safe, and the suspect, identified as Josh Coleman, is now in custody.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call shortly after 1:00 p.m. at a residence in the 300 block of Meeks Road in Ridgeway, near the North Carolina state line. Deputies arrived to find a man and a woman dead inside the home. Sheriff Wayne Davis later confirmed the female victim as Mandy Coleman. The identity of the male victim has not yet been released.

“This appears to be a domestic-related incident,” Sheriff Davis said during a press briefing. “We believe the suspect, Joshua Coleman, fled the scene with his two young children—a two-year-old and an 11-month-old.”

Authorities feared for the safety of the children and launched a multi-agency manhunt, involving Virginia State Police and North Carolina’s Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office. A potential Amber Alert was considered as officials believed Coleman may have crossed into North Carolina.

Coleman was located and apprehended at the Valley Star gas station on Greensboro Road. Both children were found with him and are safe, according to Sheriff Davis. Investigators have not yet disclosed details regarding the timeline of Coleman’s arrest or the motive behind the shooting.

“There is no ongoing threat to the community,” Davis reassured residents. “This was an isolated incident involving family members.”

The investigation remains active, with law enforcement working to piece together the events that led to the double homicide. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (276) 638-8751 or call 911.

This devastating incident has shaken the Ridgeway community, but officials emphasized the swift inter-agency cooperation that led to the safe recovery of the children and the arrest of the suspect.

Please pray for this family.