Maryland man accused of killing 3 children, ex-girlfriend in Chester

Police said Jonah Adams, 35, was apprehended by agents of the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives near his residence in Maryland. He remains in custody in this state.

Chesterfield detectives have obtained warrants charging Adams with four counts of first-degree murder in the killings of JoAnna M. Cottle, 39; Kaelyn M. Parson, 13; Kinsey M. Cottle, 4; and Jayson L. Cottle, 4th.

Police said Adams was previously in a relationship with JoAnna Cottle and is the father of twins Kinsey and Jason Cottle.

No motive was given for the shootings.

The police were called just before 5 Friday to the Cottle home in the 4200 block of Laurel Oak Road for a reported disturbance. Once on scene, police entered the home to conduct a welfare check and found the four gunshot victims.

Adams was not at the scene when police arrived.

Chesterfield Police Maj. Michael Louth said an adult and three children were fatally shot in the 4200 block of Laurel Oak Road.

Louth would not release the ages of the victims. He said it does not appear to be a random act, but investigators have not ruled out any possibilities.

“We’re still working out all the details of the family dynamic,” he said.

This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Chesterfield County police are investigating a multiple-victim homicide in a neighborhood off Hopkins Road in Chester.

A police spokeswoman said officers responded around 5:00 a.m. on a reported disturbance on Laurel Oak Road. Once on scene, officers entered a home to conduct a welfare check and found several victims inside.

Officers cleared the house to make sure there was no threat inside.

Police declined to immediately release the number of victims as they are still working to identify them and notify the victims’ next of kin.

“At this time, we are investigating this as a homicide,” police spokeswoman Elizabeth Caroon said. “The investigation appears to indicate that this was not a random incident. However, as always, residents are encouraged to call police if they see anything suspicious. We also encourage them to call if they have any information about this incident.”