Pistol cartridge casings. We definitely need pictures.
All they had on the local CBS affiliate was an info babe standing at a VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) depot who said the searchers found some pistol casings as she was setting up for her 0500 segment. But all we could see was styrofoam coffee cups presumably placed over the casings.
Of course, my Marlin shoots 357 magnums so even if they are pistol casings that's not conclusive of anything.