Man charged in connection to Danville double homicide

Dana Keith, 29, charged with first-degree murder

DANVILLE, Va. – People impacted by last month's double homicide in Danville are sharing their reaction to the news that a suspect has been arrested and charged.

"It's been on my mind, to tell you the truth, ever since it happened," said Shakeva Frazier of the June 1 double homicide.

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Frazier knew Breia Edmunds, 21, one of two people found shot to death in a car on Arnette Boulevard June 1.

When she heard a news conference was being held Friday, she decided to attend, hoping it would help her cope with the loss.

"Yes, Sir. Yes, Sir," Frazier said when asked if the revelation that a suspect has been arrested and charged gives her some closure.

The suspect is Dana Keith, 29.

At the news conference, Danville Police Chief Phillip Broadfoot said Keith was arrested on June 6 on unrelated warrants for shoplifting and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On the evening of the sixth, police learned that he was likely at one of two locations. SWAT teams went to both locations and found and arrested Keith without incident at an apartment on Memorial Drive.

It wasn't until July 14 that he was served with warrants for the murders.

"The investigation is continuing and more charges may be forthcoming," said Broadfoot.

Broadfoot said concerned citizens started helping officers identify Keith as a suspect almost as soon as officers arrived at the crime scene.

Pastor Cecil Bridgeforth was glad to hear the chief thank the public.

He said that's part of the reason why he came to the news conference.

"To somehow help bring closure to at least two murders in the city and to reassure the community that it takes all of us to work together with the police force," said Bridgeforth.

Frazier hopes this case will encourage people to come forward with information about who shot and killed Tion Burton, 17, at a high school graduation party Memorial Day weekend.

At the news conference, Frazier wore a shirt that said "We Demand Justice For Tion Burton."

"I want to repeat something I heard at a meeting I had. They talked about stop snitching," Frazier said. "When somebody innocent has been hurt and you have information, that's not snitching." 

Keith is scheduled to be arraigned in general district court on Monday.

Broadfoot declined to offer details Friday about the motive behind Edmunds' and Whitehead's murders, citing the fact that the investigation is ongoing.