Lexington man charged in Virginia murder case where victim was found shot in church parking lot

A Lexington man has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting a man to death outside of a church in Virginia on Tuesday.

Michael Cerillo of Lexington was served with a felony fugitive warrant out of Rustburg, Virginia for second-degree murder. He was given a $5 million secured bond and is pending extradition.

Want to know more about what is happening in Lexington? Support local journalism, subscribe to The Dispatch.

According to the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, at approximately 1 p.m. on July 5 law enforcement responded to a report of a shooting at a First Saint Paul’s Missionary Baptist Church in Rustburg, Virginia.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a man in the parking lot of the church lying in front of his vehicle, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Although lifesaving measures were taken, the victim, later identified as Robert William Staton, 33, of Rustburg, was pronounced dead at the scene.

More: Thomasville man charged with murder in shooting death of High Point teenager

During the investigation, law enforcement reported a witness stated seeing a black mid-size truck being driven from the church entrance around the same time. After further investigation, Cerillo was named as a suspect and an order for arrest was issued.

Cerillo was taken into custody at his home by the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.

General news reporter Sharon Myers can be reached at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com. Follow her on Twitter @LexDispatchSM.

This article originally appeared on The Dispatch: Lexington man charged with murder in Virginia church shooting death