Photos courtesy Caroline County Sheriff’s Office-Barlow left. Pippen-right
Caroline Sheriff Tony Lippa says one suspect involved in a deadly home invasion that occurred Saturday is dead after shooting himself and a second suspect has been arrested. The suspects led officers on a pursuit before crashing a vehicle.
Caroline investigators say the man entered a home on Sparta Road, and the homeowners interrupted the break-in. Police believe the man exited the residence, shot and killed 47-year old Carla Trost, and then stole her vehicle.
Sheriff Lippa says suspects in the burglary and murder where quickly identified thanks to tips from the public and surrounding law enforcement. Police say investigators from Goochland and Caroline spotted the vehicle and the suspects fled. The pursuit continued into Albemarle County where the vehicle crashed.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as 30-year old Michael Barlow of Montpelier, shot himself and died at the scene.
According to police, Barlow had outstanding warrants for:
- Capital murder
- Attempted capital murder
- Armed robbery
- Breaking and entering
- Grand larceny
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Use of a firearm in the commission of a felony prior to his death
The passenger, identified as 32-year old Leonard Pippin Jr. of Ashland, was taken into custody. Investigators say Pippen appeared to be the getaway driver during the deadly home invasion. Pippin has been charged with:
- First-degree murder
- Conspiracy to commit burglary
- Conspiracy to commit grand larceny
- Grand larceny
