BY FRANK DELANO
A 71-year-old Westmoreland County man has been charged with murdering his brother-in-law early Sunday at Coles Point.
According to Sheriff's Maj. John I. Hoover III, deputies found Joel Tropper dead shortly after 1:26 a.m. from an apparent gunshot wound at the residence of Raymond L. Sandifer on Granny's Bar Road.
Tropper, 57, of Gaithersburg, Md., and his wife were visiting Sandifer when the shooting occurred, Hoover said.
Police charged Sandifer with first-degree murder, using a firearm in a felony, shooting inside an occupied dwelling and reckless handling of a gun.
Hoover would not comment on a possible motive, saying the case was still under investigation.
He said no bond has been set for Sandifer, who remains in the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw.
Frank Delano: 804/333-3834
Email: fpdelano@gmail.com