PATRICK COUNTY, Va. – Three more people have been arrested in connection with a Sunday night homicide in Patrick County.
Deputies found 27-year-old Damien Hairston dead in the parking lot of the True Gospel Baptist Church on Salem Highway around 8 p.m., according to the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office.
Lonnie Reynolds, 18, was charged with second-degree murder, 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.
In addition to Reynolds, the following people have been charged.
- Acya Hagen, 19, of Stuart, was charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, possession with intent to distribute more than ½ ounce of marijuana and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
- Stephen Gravely, 20, of Martinsville, was charged with possession with intent to distribute more than ½ ounce of marijuana.
- A 17-year-old has been charged with conspiracy to distribute more than ½ ounce of marijuana and conspiracy to commit robbery.
Evidence shows that Hagen and Hairston set up a drug deal with Gravely, Reynolds and Jermaine Davis “Jay” Penn Jr., according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Hairston, Hagen and the 17-year-old created a plan to rob Gravely, Reynolds and Penn Jr. when they arrived at True Gospel Baptist Church, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said the two groups met and the first shot was allegedly fired from the rear passenger seat of the vehicle near Reynolds and Penn.
More shots were fired back and forth, which is when someone shot and killed Hairston, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Gravely, Reynolds and Penn Jr. drove away in a red Honda Civic, which authorities say they found a few hours later in Henry County.
Hagen is being held in the Patrick County Jail without bail.
Gravely was released on a $1,500 secured bond and the 17-year-old is being held in Danville at the W.W. Moore Detention Center.