Man drives to Windsor after being shot in Franklin

Published 7:43 am Friday, January 23, 2009

FRANKLIN—Police are trying to determine who shot a Windsor man multiple times in Franklin early Wednesday before he drove to a friend’s house in Windsor, almost half an hour away, for help.

Franklin police responded to a report of shots fired in the 1200 block of Virginia Street at approximately 12:53 a.m. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate anyone.

Then, at 1:24 a.m., Windsor police responded to a call about a gunshot victim on Church Street. Windsor Police Chief Robert Porti said the victim parked in the driveway of a home and honked his vehicle’s horn for help.

According to Franklin Police Lt. Tim Whitt, the shooting victim told Windsor police that he was shot in Franklin.

“It appears that after the victim was shot, he drove himself to a friend’s house in Windsor, where the friend notified emergency services,” Whitt said.

Franklin authorities identified the victim as Scott Eugene Hepler, 39. Both Franklin and Windsor police said Hepler was transported to Norfolk Sentara Hospital, where he underwent surgery. Hepler’s condition was not released.

Whitt said detectives are investigating the case.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Franklin Crime Solvers at (757) 562-8599. Information that leads to an arrest can earn the caller a cash reward and your identity is kept anonymous.