Fatal Shooting at Royal Farms Leads to Murder Charges in Accomack County
ACCOMACK COUNTY, VA - The Accomack County Sheriff's Office has arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred at a Royal Farms convenience store on September 10, 2025.
Deputies responded to the scene at 33620 Chincoteague Road at approximately 11:24 p.m. after the 9-1-1 Center broadcasted reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers discovered an unresponsive male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
The victim has been identified as Miguel Ethan Soto Trader, 25, of New Church. He was pronounced deceased at the scene and transported to the Norfolk Medical Examiner's Office to determine the official cause of death.
The investigation led authorities to obtain warrants for David Dean Bowden Jr., 19, of New Church, Virginia. Bowden is currently being held at the Accomack County Jail with bond denied. He faces multiple charges including second-degree murder, discharge of a firearm within a building, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and unlawful wounding.
Multiple agencies assisted in the response and investigation. The Virginia State Police, Wallops Flight Facility Fire Department, Oak Hall Rescue, and the Accomack County Department of Public Safety provided support to the Sheriff's Office.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident or any other crime is encouraged to contact the Accomack County Sheriff's Office at (757) 787-1131 or (757) 824-5666. Tips may also be submitted through the department's website at accomackcountysheriffsoffice.org.
Disclosure: All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.
