Prince William County police say a murder-suicide occurred about 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning on the 15700 block of Widewater Drive in Montclair.
Police believe that Robert W. Bates, 42, armed with a handgun, shot and killed his wife Jennifer A. Bates, 38, then killed himself. The couple, who were from Nokesville, appeared to be having a domestic-related fight, said police spokesman Officer Jonathan Perok.
Each suffered a single gunshot wound to the upper body.
The incident occurred in the middle of the road. Perok said the man and woman don’t live on the street, and police don’t know why they were there.
Robert Bates had been arrested for domestic assault and battery after a disturbance at their home in June, Prince William County police said. Both were served with an emergency protective order, which prohibited contact between the two. That order had expired prior to Saturday’s shooting.
