Longwood Students Reflect on Appomattox Murders
Buckingham County residents and LU students speak of small town life in light of local killings
Corey Morris
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: News
"It's interesting, five years ago, we wouldn't think about this happening," said a Buckingham County resident and Longwood University junior commuter student, who wished her name to be kept anonymous for her safety. She is referring to the recent Appomattox murders that occurred on Jan. 19, where eight people were killed in a remote location of the county, just miles from the Prince Edward County line.
The eight victims were Lauralee Sipe, Speight's sister; Dwayne Sipe, Speight's brother-in-law; 15-year-old Morgan Dobyns, Lauralee's daughter; 4-year-old Joshua Sipe, son of Lauralee and Dwayne; Dobyns' friend, 15-year-old Emily Quarles, Dobyns' friend; 16-year-old Ronald "Bo" Scruggs, Quarles' boyfriend; and 43-year-olds Karen and Jonathan Quarles', Emily's parents. The shooter is believed to be 39-year-old Christopher Speight, a relative to four of the victims.
This student, along with sophomore Tracy Lynn Davis, also a resident of Buckingham Co., both have a common connection to the murders. The two are familiar with one of the victims, Ronald "Bo" Scruggs.
The commuter student said she knew Scruggs when they both attended Buckingham County High School, but never had a great deal of interaction with him. "We never really spoke in class or anything." Her family is friends with Scruggs' family. When asked if the murders have greatly affected her life, she said, "I haven't really thought about [the killings] very much. I've thought about [Scruggs'] family and if they will have a chance to talk to this guy," she added.
"When I first became aware of the situation, I was just in shock because it was hitting so close to home for me," said Davis. "Now, I have many thoughts about what happened. I am sorry for the families and all of those that [the killings] affected." Davis said she was "confused" how such a criminal act could be committed.
It was nearly four months to the day of the Appomattox rampage that Farmville endured its own tragedy. On Sept. 18, 2009, Farmville Police discovered four bodies at 505 First Avenue. The bodies were later identified as Longwood University Professor Debra Kelley; her estranged husband, Pastor Mark Niederbrock; their daughter Emma Niederbrock; and Emma's friend, Melanie Grace Wells who was visiting from W. Va.
The eight victims were Lauralee Sipe, Speight's sister; Dwayne Sipe, Speight's brother-in-law; 15-year-old Morgan Dobyns, Lauralee's daughter; 4-year-old Joshua Sipe, son of Lauralee and Dwayne; Dobyns' friend, 15-year-old Emily Quarles, Dobyns' friend; 16-year-old Ronald "Bo" Scruggs, Quarles' boyfriend; and 43-year-olds Karen and Jonathan Quarles', Emily's parents. The shooter is believed to be 39-year-old Christopher Speight, a relative to four of the victims.
This student, along with sophomore Tracy Lynn Davis, also a resident of Buckingham Co., both have a common connection to the murders. The two are familiar with one of the victims, Ronald "Bo" Scruggs.
The commuter student said she knew Scruggs when they both attended Buckingham County High School, but never had a great deal of interaction with him. "We never really spoke in class or anything." Her family is friends with Scruggs' family. When asked if the murders have greatly affected her life, she said, "I haven't really thought about [the killings] very much. I've thought about [Scruggs'] family and if they will have a chance to talk to this guy," she added.
"When I first became aware of the situation, I was just in shock because it was hitting so close to home for me," said Davis. "Now, I have many thoughts about what happened. I am sorry for the families and all of those that [the killings] affected." Davis said she was "confused" how such a criminal act could be committed.
It was nearly four months to the day of the Appomattox rampage that Farmville endured its own tragedy. On Sept. 18, 2009, Farmville Police discovered four bodies at 505 First Avenue. The bodies were later identified as Longwood University Professor Debra Kelley; her estranged husband, Pastor Mark Niederbrock; their daughter Emma Niederbrock; and Emma's friend, Melanie Grace Wells who was visiting from W. Va.
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