GOOCHLAND COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - An argument over meal tickets prompted a man to threaten to "start shooting people” at the Cub Scout Camp at the Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation on Maidens Road, according to a press release from the Goochland County Sheriff's Office.
Gregory James Stapleton, 34, of Chanelka Lane in Chesterfield, was arrested and charged with one count of disorderly conduct and one count of curse and abuse after Thursday night's incident. Both charges are misdemeanors.
Deputies were called to the cub scout camp about 8 p.m. after witnesses reported Stapleton threatened to shoot people there. Deputies later determined Stapleton did not have a gun, but did take "several knives" from him, the release indicated. No one was hurt in the incident.
Heart of Virginia Scout Executive Brad Nesheim said the father was among hundreds of people taking part in a four-day overnight camping experience. The scouts, ranging in age from 8 to 11 years old, and their parents arrived Wednesday and were scheduled to stay until Saturday.
LISTEN:911 call of Cub Scout threat to shoot up camp
Witnesses told deputies Stapleton made "numerous threats to shoot people after he became upset over the distribution of meal tickets for attending campers, adult supervisors, and parents."
Nesheim called the incident isolated and said he could not recall a similar incident during his time with the scouts.
"The cub scout camp is a very safe place. Parents should not be at all concerned,” Nesheim said in a phone interview. He added it was "business as usual" back at the camp today.
Goochland investigators were not immediately available Friday morning to provide more detail about the incident. This post will be updated as new information comes in.
Stapleton, who was taken to Henrico jail, is due in court July 14.
