Lynchburg Resident Arrested for Parent's Murder

• 

  Ben Wagner, 20, arrested with charges of murder,
  attempted murder and malicious wounding Oct. 2. 

  Ben Wagner, 20, arrested for the murder of his mother Dianna Wagner and attempted murder of his father, Bert Wagner.
• A 911 call led the Lynchburg Police Department to Ben's white Camero where a 9mm handgun was found in the back seat.
• Official court date will be determined Oct 7 in Lynchburg General District Court.

Lynchburg Police Department announced the arrest of a 20-year-old Burger King employee after being accused of the murder and attempted murder of his parents Wednesday, Oct.2.

Police say they found the body of Dianna Wagner, 50, with two gunshot wounds to the chest in the kitchen of 134 Donald Street, Wednesday evening. Bert Wagner, 48, was discovered unconscious in the garage with a gunshot wound to the leg.

Dianna was pronounced dead on arrival and Bert was rushed into surgery at Lynchburg General Hospital where he told police that his son had shot him after he returned home from work.

A 911 call came in at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 2 from an anonymous male caller who claimed to have heard gun shots from the Donald Street residence. Immediately, officers Shane Barrow and Mindy Johnson and detective Randi Bennett were dispatched to the house were the two victims were found.

The two bodies were found at the Wagner's
 house on Donald Street, showed above. 

The 911 caller reported seeing Dianna and Bert's son, Ben Wagner, carrying a gun and driving away in a white Camaro. Police put out an all-points bulletin for his car at 6:15 p.m. and saw the car at a Shell gas station on Lee Highway later that evening.

Police say, Ben was peacefully taken into custody while buying a snack in the store. In the backseat of his car, police found a 9mm handgun. Tests are being preformed to see if this was the gun that was used in the murder.

“This crime has shaken the city to its core. We have made this case a priority and are working to restore peace to the Wagner's neighborhood,” police detective, Randy Bennett said.

Bert Wagner should be returning to his job at Lynchburg Construction Company after fully recovering from his surgery. Dianna Wagner was a care giver at a local daycare center.

"The Wagners seemed like good people. They kept to themselves mostly. Ben was a nice boy who used to cut my lawn,"neighbor, Jane Smith, said. 

This was not the first time that Ben Wagner was arrested. Police admitted Ben had been arrested three times previously:

1. He was arrested after an altercation at Burger King and no charges were filed.

2. In April when cocaine was found in the car he was riding in; no charges were filed in this case.

3. He was also arrested last month for speeding with a blood alcohol level of .15 and pleaded guilty to first offense DUI and paid a $1,200 fine.

“I lost my wife and my son. Ben may still be alive but things will never be the same. I will stand by my son's side and continue to give him the love he had always had,” Bert Wagner said.

Ben will face charges Oct. 7, of one count first- degree murder, attempted murder and malicious wounding in Lynchburg General District Court.

His official trial date will be discussed at this time.

Suspect Arrested for Parent's Murder

Resident of Lynchburg is being tried for the murder and attempted murder of his mother and father. Police say there can be no other suspect. 

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