HALIFAX COUNTY, Va. — In a dramatic court ruling on Friday, Quentin Younger, age 52, faced a 22-year prison sentence for a violent episode that unfolded last year, involving the aggravated assault of a Dollar General employee and other related crimes. The incidents resulted in severe and lasting injuries to the employee, spotlighting issues around community safety and legal consequences for violent offenses.
The events that led up to the sentencing began on June 4, 2023, when Younger aggressively confronted his ex-girlfriend inside the store located on Halifax Road. His violent behavior escalated, prompting store management to intervene. Surveillance video captured Younger, refusing to desist, which resulted in a heroic act from Caleb Fox, a 24-year-old employee, who attempted to protect the woman from further attack.
During the altercation, after Fox had momentarily thwarted Younger using an improvised weapon from the store shelves, Younger produced a knife and stabbed Fox multiple times. The assault left Fox with critical injuries including a punctured lung and impairments necessitating multiple surgeries.
Following the attack, Fox was urgently airlifted to Duke Hospital, receiving immediate medical attention, critical to his survival. His mother, Shawnee Dixon, has taken on the role of full-time caregiver. “This whole time, I’ve been managing his medical needs, and I’ll continue to do whatever I can to help him,” Dixon stated.
The implications of the attack extended beyond physical injuries for Fox, who is also a person with Asperger’s Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. According to his mother, despite being diagnosed with developmental challenges, Fox has continually surpassed expectations, thriving through adversity. “Every day he does things they said he couldn’t. He makes me proud all the time,” remarked Dixon.
In response to the financial strain caused by medical and living expenses since the attack, Dixon launched a GoFundMe campaign. This has allowed the community to participate in supporting Fox’s recovery and ongoing care needs. Contributions from the public help cover a range of expenses from medical bills to lost wages, as Fox is currently unable to return to work.
Halifax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Tracy Quackenbush Martin referred to Fox as a real-life hero during her remarks in court. “Caleb saw an urgent need, acted decisively, and his brave intervention prevented further harm. We’re grateful for his courage.”
Dollar General has reportedly assisted with the initial medical expenses. However, the community fundraising efforts aim to provide a sustainable support system for Fox. Residents and local authorities, including the Halifax Life Saving Crew and the South Boston Police Department, have also been praised for their swift and effective response.
As Younger begins his prison term, the community reflects on the incident with mixed feelings. While relieved by the justice served, there is a strong collective desire to focus on recovery and preventative measures to ensure such violent incidents are avoided in the future.
Fox, still recovering, remains optimistic about returning to normal life. “He really wants to go back to work and start living his life again,” his mother shared with hope. Through resilience and community support, Fox continues to make strides towards healing after the life-altering ordeal.