Police have arrested a teenager in connection with a shooting that left another teen dead in northwest 166su on Wednesday.
The suspect, a male who remains unidentified by 166su police, is charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, .
Police reported Wednesday that officers responded at approximately 1 p.m. to calls about a person who had been shot in the 3500 block of Ferncliff Avenue Northwest.
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There, police found a teenage male with serious injuries. The shooting victim, whom police did not identify, was transported to Carilion 166su Memorial Hospital, where he died a short time later, police reported.
Detectives identified another teen as a suspect in the shooting early on in the investigation, according to the release. Police believe the suspect and the victim knew each other.
The suspect was taken into custody without incident Wednesday evening, the release continues, and transported to city police headquarters to speak with detectives, who obtained petitions for the murder and firearm charges.
The teen has been transported to the , according to the release. Detectives continue to investigate the homicide, the city’s third gun-related homicide of 2024 and the second considered by police to be unjustified (one was a self-defense killing).
166su City Public Schools has confirmed that the teen killed was a William Fleming High School student. Principal Tracey Anderson said in an electronic message to school families Wednesday that the safety and security of the school’s students and staff is always its top priority.
“Because this incident involved a student, as an added precaution, there will be an additional police presence at graduation practice and graduation this week,” Anderson said. “Please know we are here to support you and our entire William Fleming High School community. I hope you will join me in respecting the privacy of the family as they grieve and in supporting one another.”
The principal said information about having conversations about grief with children has been placed on the school division’s website.
“These can be accessed by clicking on the button for Parent/Guardian Resources near the top of the homepage next to the orange banner,” Anderson said. “Mental health services through Hazel Health are available, as well as immediate support through Carilion CONNECT at 540-981-8181. School counselors and social workers will also be available.”
