A Stuart man was charged with second-degree murder in connection with an alleged shooting incident Sunday that resulted in the death of a Martinsville man.
Lonnie Deandre Reynolds, 18, of 12 Kelly Mill Road, also was charged Monday with use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, discharging a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, and reckless handling of a firearm, according to Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith.
Damien Lamont Hairston, 27, of Martinsville, died Sunday as the result of a single gunshot wound in connection with an incident that occurred in Stuart, according to Smith.
Smith added that Hairston died at the scene of True Gospel Baptist Church, which is located near Patrick County High School on Salem Highway in Stuart.
Deputies responded to the scene at approximately 8 p.m. Sunday and found Hairston at the church.
Smith said the church was not in service at the time of the shooting.
“The church parking lot was used as a meeting place between the victim and another group of individuals, none of whom were members of the church,” Smith said in a release. “We are treating this as a homicide and the investigation is ongoing at this time.”
Reynolds is being held without bail in the Patrick County Jail.
Smith declined to provide additional information because the investigation is ongoing.
Sheriff’s investigator Tyler Wilson is leading the investigation. The Virginia State Police assisted in processing evidence at the crime scene, according to Smith.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Smith at (276) 692-7012 or Wilson at (276) 692-5123.
