Justin Andrew Samuels was 43 when he was shot and killed at his home in Amherst, Virginia, on November 16, 2019. A U.S. Army veteran and general contractor, he was described as someone who made friends easily and often helped others. That evening he had taken 18-year-old neighbor Carson Grey Candler under his wing; the two had been on a hunting trip and later attended an oyster roast with friends.

According to accounts, Candler began acting unusually at the roast and was asked to leave. Samuels and a friend, Blakeman Bru Norconk, drove Candler home and, concerned about his behavior, took a pistol from him. After being dropped off, Candler retrieved another handgun from his residence, returned outside, and opened fire. Samuels was struck three times and died; Norconk was seriously injured and later suffered permanent nerve damage. Samuels’ wife, Christine Samuels, witnessed the shooting and called 911.

Court testimony later described Candler as a troubled teen with mental health issues. If anyone knew Justin, his family, or was at the oyster roast that night, please share information that could shed more light on what happened.