After a family friend won $500,000 playing Virginia Lottery’s Millionaire Mania scratcher game earlier this month, Tina Moultre gave it a shot.

The city resident stopped by Alexandria Shell, along the 1600 block of Mount Vernon Ave., and bought a ticket. She returned to the store Tuesday to meet with state lottery officials and left $1.5 million richer.

Moultre had bought one of three top-prize tickets, worth $2 million each. The city resident could have collected the $2 million over 25 years but opted for the one-time cash option.

Moultre told state officials that she plans to buy a house with the money and help her college-aged daughter.

-Times Staff