Shooting suspect’s family sends condolences in triple slayings - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

We are learning new information about the Dinwiddie man at the center of a triple murder investigation that spans two counties.

Herbert Bland Jr. is in the hospital under close watch after a deadly shooting spree on Monday.

It all played out like a dramatic novel. A Dinwiddie father and associate pastor Herbert Bland Sr. Was wheeled out on a stretcher. Earlier in the day, a longtime Chesterfield employee Barbara Fassett and her daughter Elizabeth were shot dead in their own home. The man allegedly at the center of both shootings is Bland's son and supposed Elizabeth's ex boyfriend Herbert Jr.

"I do offer my sincere sympathy and my sincere condolences to the family," said Antonio Tucker who is a family cousin and funeral director. "It was a tragic loss for them just like it was a tragic loss for us."

Tucker insists his cousin Herbert Jr. is a good guy suffering from "issues."

"He used to play drums for my church. He was in church," said Tucker. "One thing I can say is my uncle loved his son, and my cousin loved his father."

And yet investigators say Herbert Sr. shot Herbert Jr. back in August 2010 in what was deemed self defense. No charges were ever filed.

"There were no signs of animosity or ill feelings or anything," said Tucker. "They lived together."

The family is finding it hard to understand the triple shooting investigation spanning two counties.

"It could have been a lot worse," said Major William Knott with the Dinwiddie County who notes the call came in as a report of a missing gun.

"And you walked into this guy stumbling out and falling on the ground?" we asked.

"That's correct," said Major Knott.

"And you found a dead body?" we asked.

"Yes," replied Knott.

"It's a shock," said Tucker.

It is a shock for the quiet Chesterfield community and the two families now planning funerals.

"I eulogized my uncle in 2010 and I'm pretty sure I'm going to be eulogizing this uncle on Sunday," said Tucker. "It's rough, but we are going to get through it."

Bland is in the hospital, but he is expected to recover. He faces several charges when he is released.

Copyright 2013 WWBT NBC12.  All rights reserved.