Blackstone police searching for twin brothers

Blackstone police, with assistance from the Nottoway County Sheriff's Office and Virginia State Police, are looking for twin brothers in an assault that was followed by shots being fired into a vehicle and two residences, authorities said.

Police have warrants for Lionel Leo Hardy and Lionell Lee Hardy, 23, charging them with malicious wounding and possession of a firearm by a felon.

A search for the two Sunday night included a state police helicopter, canine and tactical units, said Blackstone Police Chief Nicholas C. Kuzmiak.

Kuzmiak said the trouble started Nov. 3 when a man was assaulted and beaten with a pistol. Later that evening, authorities discovered that a nearby car had been struck by bullets.

On Friday night and early Saturday, there were reports of shots being fired into two occupied residences -- one was the home of relatives of the original beating victim, and the other was home to relatives of the suspects, Kuzmiak said. There were no injuries.

Police stepped up their patrol Sunday night after officers on patrol spotted a suspicious vehicle that then accelerated for a few blocks before stopping in a driveway and discharging a passenger believed to be one of the suspects, who fled on foot.

The Hardys have not been charged in the shootings, but Kuzmiak said the investigation is continuing.

A sister, Lori Lea Hardy, 30, suspected of driving the Hardys to the original assault, was arrested at her home and also charged with malicious wounding and possession of a firearm by a felon, Kuzmiak said.

-- Tom Kapsidelis