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AUGUSTA COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office has released additional information related to the double killing currently under investigation in the Mt. Solon area.

At approximately 2:20 AM on July 5, 2025, deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing in the 100 block of Old Quarry Road. While deputies were in route to the scene, individuals at the residence placed the stabbing victim into a vehicle and began transporting him toward Augusta Health.

During the transport, the vehicle stopped in the 2500 block of Springhill Road. Deputies arriving at that location removed the victim and initiated life-saving measures. Staunton Augusta Rescue Squad personnel arrived on scene and assisted deputies with those efforts. Life-saving measures were not successful, and the male victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The victim has been identified as 25-year-old River Scott May, of Mount Sidney, Virginia.

At the Springhill Road location, the driver of the vehicle informed deputies that he had shot the individual responsible for stabbing May. Additional deputies responded to the original incident location on Old Quarry Road, where they discovered a second male deceased from an apparent single gunshot wound to the head.

The second deceased male, believed to be the suspect in the stabbing, has been identified as 23-year-old River Steven Higgins, of Dayton, Virginia.

At this time, no charges have been filed by the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, and the case remains under review by the Augusta County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

“This incident, while tragic, appears to be isolated to individuals who were known to one another. The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office is working closely with Augusta County Commonwealth’s Attorney Timothy A. Martin to determine the appropriate legal steps moving forward,” said Sheriff Donald L. Smith in a release.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office at 540-245-5333.

A GoFundMe has been set up in honor of River Higgins.