The wife, child, and mother-in-law of a pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization were killed in a southern Virginia town on Tuesday, Aug. 27, and police arrested the brother-in-law of minor league baseball player Blake Bivens, according to a report by ESPN.
Matthew Thomas Bernard, 18, was arrested on three counts of first-degree murder, a spokesperson for Pittsylvania County, Virginia, said in a statement provided to CNN.
A 911 call around 8 a.m. Tuesday morning reported that a person had been shot, the spokesperson said.
Deputies went to the scene where they found a deceased woman in the driveway and the bodies of another woman and a child inside the home.
Watch:
Bernard was taken into custody as he ran from a wooded area around 12:15 p.m., the spokesperson said. A first court appearance has not been scheduled.
CNN has attempted to reach out to the surviving family of the suspect with no comment.
The Tampa Bay Ray’s Organization released a statement Tuesday night on behalf of Blake Bivens.
“Earlier today we learned that Blake Bivens, a pitcher with our Double-A affiliate, the Montgomery Biscuits, suffered a terrible family tragedy in southern Virginia,” the Rays said on Twitter.
We’re with you, Blake. pic.twitter.com/gJqdUCIf7p
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 28, 2019
“Our hearts are broken for Blake. We are grieving with him and will support him any way we can. We ask that everyone respect the privacy of the Bivens family and the Biscuits family during this extremely difficult time.”
The official Minor League Baseball page sends their condolences on Twitter.
“Our thoughts & prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Blake Bivens in the wake of a terrible family tragedy, as well as the entire Rays organization, during this very difficult time,” the agency said on Twitter.
Our thoughts & prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Blake Bivens in the wake of a terrible family tragedy, as well as the entire Rays organization, during this very difficult time. pic.twitter.com/p4XlwvblfK
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 28, 2019
Logan Allen, a pitcher for the Cleveland Indians also sends his prayers to Blake and the Bivens family in a tweet.
The pitcher also said: “Truly sad what this world has come to. Was lucky to get to know Blake.”
Truly sad what this world has come to. Was lucky to get to know Blake through the @TheCanesBB . Prayers are with Blake and the Bivens family. https://t.co/kAe4lthiQd
— Logan Allen (@Logan__Allen) August 28, 2019
NTD News reporter Lorenz Duchamps contributed to this article.
