Pepper Ball Prompts Hazmat Response At Stafford Convenience Store; 3 Hospitalized

STAFFORD, VA — Three patients were taken to a local hospital with minor illnesses after a pepper ball prompted a hazardous materials response at a Stafford County Wawa, fire officials said.

Stafford County Fire and Rescue responded to the Wawa on Warrenton Road at Litchfield Boulevard. Crews isolated the area while investigating the incident and asked people to avoid the location so emergency personnel had space to work.

Officials later identified a pepper ball as the source of the incident. They said there was no danger to the public and that Stafford County Fire and Rescue units would clear the scene shortly.

The Fredericksburg Fire Department and Fauquier County Fire Rescue System assisted with the response.