MECKLENBURG COUNTY, Va. — Virginia State Police are searching for a 19-year-old man wanted in connection with a fatal shooting that unfolded Thursday afternoon along Interstate 85 in Mecklenburg County. The tragic incident has left one young man dead and sparked an urgent manhunt across the region.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Jason Allen Glidewell II, of Bracey, Virginia. Warrants have been issued for his arrest on charges of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Investigators describe him as a white male with blond hair and blue eyes, standing about five feet seven inches tall. Police have warned that Glidewell should be considered armed and dangerous.
The sequence of events began around 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, when troopers were called to a reported crash along I-85 near the five-mile marker. When they arrived, they found a Honda Civic that had veered off the road and come to rest in a culvert.
Inside the vehicle was 20-year-old Hunter A. Bates, who was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. A female passenger was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation and was later released. Investigators believe Bates was shot before the vehicle left the roadway, linking Glidewell to the shooting and the deadly crash.
According to police, Glidewell was last seen driving a silver 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche with Virginia license plate TFN 1004. He is believed to have ties to the Richmond and Henrico County areas, and detectives fear he may attempt to flee in that direction or seek shelter among acquaintances.
The death of Hunter Bates has shaken family, friends, and the broader Mecklenburg County community. At just 20 years old, his life was cut short in a sudden act of violence that has left loved ones devastated. Friends described him as a young man full of potential, whose future was stolen before it could unfold.
Authorities are urging the public to remain alert but cautious. They stressed that anyone who sees Glidewell or the suspect vehicle should not approach him. Instead, residents should call 911 immediately. Police emphasized that even small details — such as a possible sighting of the Avalanche or information about Glidewell’s connections — could be critical in safely locating him.
For those with information, the Virginia State Police are asking that tips be directed to Division III Dispatch at 1-800-552-0962 or Division I Dispatch at (804) 750-8758. Officials underscored that cooperation from the public could help bring closure to the grieving family of Hunter Bates and ensure no one else is harmed.
The investigation remains ongoing, and state police are coordinating with local agencies in multiple jurisdictions to track down leads. Patrols have been increased in areas where Glidewell may have ties, and law enforcement remains committed to bringing him into custody.
As the search continues, the Mecklenburg County community is left mourning the loss of a young man taken too soon. For those who knew Hunter Bates, the tragedy is not only a story in the headlines but a personal heartbreak. While police press forward with their search, residents are holding onto hope that justice will be served and that the suspect will soon be brought before the courts to answer for the life that was lost.
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