The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
The lead singer for a popular local heavy metal band was shot and killed in one of two double-shootings in the city on Saturday.
Police responded to the Blairmore Arch home of Keith Chapin, frontman for the band Download, about
12:10 a.m. Saturday and found him lying inside near the front door. Chapin, 35, had been shot to death, and his brother, John Mittlestadt, 24, was seriously wounded, according to police and court records.
Investigators identified a neighbor, Aaron Louis Patterson, 45, as the suspected shooter and ordered him to surrender. He barricaded himself in his home for more than two hours before coming outside, police spokesman Adam Bernstein said.
The standoff continued briefly outside before SWAT Team members arrested Patterson, Bernstein said. He remained jailed without bond Monday on murder, malicious wounding and related gun charges.
In total, three men were killed and three wounded in three unrelated double-shootings in the city last week. Two suspects remained jailed on charges in a shooting Saturday night in Trailer City. Police said they also had identified a suspect in a Northridge shooting on Wednesday.
Chapin had had no problems with his neighbor, according to Susie Carter, Chapin's live-in girlfriend. She said Chapin had given Patterson one of the band's CDs, but that they rarely spoke.
Carter said she was lying in bed on the home's second floor when she heard a knock at the front door just after midnight. Chapin was playing washers, a horseshoes-like game, with his brother in the living room and opened the door.
She said she heard a man ask for a beer. Chapin told his brother to give him one. Then the man asked whether his daughter was inside, and whether he could come in, Carter said.
Chapin twice answered no. Then gunfire erupted, she said.
The shooting left fans, friends and relatives reeling, and messages of condolence poured onto the band's MySpace page.
Chapin was one of five members in the hardcore heavy metal band that formed in 2002 in Virginia Beach. They performed at venues along the East Coast and carved a reputation for high-intensity shows.
"He touched so many people because he was such a nice guy and he would do anything for anybody," Carter said.
Shawn Day, (757) 222-5131, shawn.day@pilotonline.com
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You people who act like
You people who act like you're holier than thou, can jus shut your mouth. You don't know what anyone is going through. Maybe you all are sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was tragic, but there is definately mental issues. God looks on murder the say way he looks on being judgemental! Be careful how you speak of people, you may lose your mind someday, too. Aaron patterson is a wonderful man, you all are just to busy thinking your better. Well, I got news, YOU ARE NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is better than MOST people!
Aaron Patterson
I am truely sorry for your loss of Keith Chapin. I know his family and friends are very confused and though it might not mean much right now, I would like to offer some help. I truely believe its a horrible thing that has happened and I know you feel there is no excuse. Aaron is my cousin by marriage. I have know him for over 10 years, he is a good man. Works hard for his family and tries to be a productive member of society. I have had a few occasions to talk with Aaron when he is off his meds, to help him see why taking them are so important. I can tell you from the bottom of my soul, that if it were not for him not on his meds, this would have never happened. Yes he has a documented history of crime, usually a result of his meds being changed or not able to retrieve. He dosn't go off them on purpose, but he is very mentally Ill. He has reached out many times in the past for help. But our medical system is not the best. My mother killed herself in that same state 30 years ago from the same disease. She also went through the hospitals for help. I know it dosnt make you feel better, nothing will ever make it better. But Aaron didn't say he needed help as a cop out, he called everyo
Sad situation.
What a messed up way to go out, condolences to the family.
reenos
There is no more to this story, it was cold blooded murder. There were 4 people in the house at the time and none of them were this man's daughter. There can be no excusing this man for his crimes. It is my personal belief that if Keith did not stop this man from entering his home no one would have survived. I like to believe that Keith knew this, he's a hero in my book not just a victim.....If you follow the news story's being reported this Patterson said he need's a psych evalution. IMO this is a lame attempt to divest himself of responsibility for his crimes... He knew what he did... If there's any justice in life Hell is real and he'll be dropping in soon....
Yah follow the news story,
Yah follow the news story, because we all know the news tells the truth right? Wow really??? How about alot of people are horrified about the events and lets just wait and see what happens in court before we start judgeing, assumeing or pulling crap out of our butt just for the heck of it. I am very saddened by how many people that are out there that were raised with no sense. Your not suppose to judge, your not suppose to judge a book by its cover, your not suppose to think your way is the only right way. Just be hurt, morn for your loss. But you don't have say crap just to say it and especially if your ignorant!!
you are right
you hit the nail on the head with that post, yes you did!
looks are part of the act
All acts, actors, comedians etc have a certain look to pull off the gig. There are scarier looking critters running around on our streets these days. What's interesting is the guy coming over asking about his daughter? I would think if there's more than just a kook story to be had, it lies with why he thought she was there and not elsewhere?
Regardless the nut case had to be high on crack or drunk off his butt hence the denial of allowing him inside, and the difficulty of arresting him. Too bad they (police) could'nt have had reason to pursue justice on the spot and saved us tax payers some money incarcerating the freak.
keith...
i am one of the MANY people who were lucky enough to know keith, even if it was for a very short time. he was one of the nicest people i have ever met. the fact that sheer ignorance cost his family, friends, and the music scene such an amazing talented person makes me sick to my stomach. mindless violence, complete nonsense. and as for you marks...i hope that one day you are in need of help and you happen to be in the presence of one of those men in Download, or any of OUR friends for that matter, you'll be proven wrong...judge all you want but this is the one group of people that accepts everyone for who they are and would give you the shirt off their backs and shoes off their feet if you needed them, nothing but help and love for others. climb out of your high school mentality, its almost 2010...accept that people look different, this isnt a cookie cutter world where everyone has to look a certain way to have a certain personality. RIP KEITH.
to the ones who think they know..
I am the other person who was in the house when the whole thing happened....
There was no altercation, no previous anything... jsut one effed up situation and one messed up dude...
as for the person who wants to use image as his statement to why it happened...
The friend of mine who died Xmas night, was more true and real than ANY clean cut perfect image person I have ever seen or read about.. includign the 44 presidents of this country, and a bunch of others...
I was 10 feet away from the death of a roomate, a friend, a fellow musician, and a great person.... he opened the door, and gave a beer to the man who ultimately took him from us...
there really is nothing more to say about it..
First, my thoughts & prayers
First, my thoughts & prayers to the Chapin family. Second, this neighbor went over to their house with a loaded gun. That shows intent!! Keith was gunned down because he didn't let this man into his own home!!Or was it not the right kind of beer he gave him?? It doesn't matter what you wear, what music you play, or how may tattoos you have...A life was taken!! Susie, Kerry & my prayers are with you also.