Manassas woman shot at party on property of Inn in Culpeper

CULPEPER, Va. - Police are searching for three suspects after a Manassas woman was shot Sunday morning during a party in Culpeper County.

Investigators said between 75 and 100 people were at a house party held on the property at The Inn at Kelly's Ford. However, nobody called police after 19-year-old Samantha Sloan was shot on the porch of the house.

According to the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office, a group of young people had rented a farmhouse that is part of the resort, but removed from the main campus. They were throwing a party with a DJ and were charging an entrance fee.

"We believe at this point that three African American males attempted to gain entry into the party and they were denied entry by the person taking the money at the gate, so to speak, of the party," said Capt. Nick White of the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office. "As a result of that, they left and as they were exiting the driveway, they began to fire upon partygoers."

White also said they believe at least one person at the party fired back at the suspects.

Sloan suffered serious injuries in the shooting. She was transported by friends to Fauquier Hospital and it was the hospital that informed authorities about the shooting. The 19-year-old was moved to Inova Fairfax Hospital where she underwent surgery and is in stable condition, the sheriff's office said.

Investigators said at least nine bullets were fired, but no weapons were recovered.

The sheriff's office is asking for the public's help to track the suspects down. They said the suspects were driving a white or tan minivan with a black bumper all the way around the vehicle.

Authorities said the house had been rented for three days with the last day ending on Sunday morning. The management at The Inn at Kelly's Ford said they don't know anything about what happened at the party, but are cooperating with the investigation. The Inn is also focusing on fixing all the damage because this is a popular venue for weddings. They said not only was there damage from the bullets, but the house was also trashed.