SOUTH BOSTON, Va. – A 17-year-old and a 20-year-old are dead and a 17-year-old suspect is in custody after a Saturday night shooting in South Boston.
According to South Boston Police Department Lt. Randy Redd, the 20-year-old victim, who died at the scene, has been identified as Davonte Powell.
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Family members, who held a candlelight vigil Sunday night at the scene of the shooting, identified the 17-year-old victim as Tevin Powell.
“No idea at all,” cousin Shanique Powell said when asked if she knew what happened. “They were just coming out of the store and two guys ran up on them.”
Tevin was flown to a Duke University Hospital in North Carolina for treatment but died overnight.
“You see stuff like this on the news and on TV all the time, but you never expect it to happen to your family," Shanique said. "Just put the guns down. Stop the violence. Because you’re not only ruining the people that you hurt, you’re ruining your family also.”
Compounding the tragedy, Davonte had a 3-month-old child, who now will have to grow up without his father.
“It appears everyone involved knew each other,” Redd said. “Without going into a lot of detail, it appears they had spoken prior to this incident.”
Why and how they all met at the shopping center was unclear Sunday.
The handgun believed to have been used was found on the side of the road not far from the crime scene, Redd said.
The 17-year-old suspect turned himself in at the police department a couple of hours after the shooting and, as of Sunday afternoon, was being held at an undisclosed juvenile detention center.
“(The detective) was able to contact some people that were close to him and he eventually showed up here at the police department,” Redd said.
He is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of using a gun to commit a felony.
Halifax County Public Schools statement:
Dear Families and Students,
Our community has been devastated by the tragic incident that occurred last night in South Boston.We offer the most heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
Over the course of the day, we have been in frequent contact with law enforcement. Law enforcement officials do not believe this matter has a link to Halifax County High School nor were any of those involved in the tragedy current Halifax County High School students.
Concern and even fear are natural after such a tragedy. Therefore in the days, ahead we will have all metal detectors operational at the high school. We will have extra law enforcement personnel on site. Families and students should be aware that when we fully implement the use of metal detectors there could be delays in entering the building.
In addition to extra security measures, there will be counselors available for students and staff.