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Suspect in Henry County homicide turns himself in

He’s been charged with first-degree murder after a fatal shooting over the weekend.

Dewayne Austin has turned himself in after authorities say he shot a man to death in Henry County over the weekend (Henry County Sheriff's Office)

Henry County, Va. – The man who was wanted in connection to a homicide in Henry County over the weekend has turned himself in, according to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said Dewayne Austin Jr. turned himself in around 11 p.m. Sunday. He has been charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and is currently being held in the Henry County Jail without bond, deputies said.

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Austin shot 41-year-old Lewis Rumley just after 8:15 p.m. on Saturday in the parking lot of 950 Blackberry Road in Bassett, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said Austin and Rumley agreed to meet in the parking lot, they both got out of their cars and then Austin shot Rumley. Rumley was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 276-638-8751.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a murder and says the suspect is on the run, believed to be armed with a handgun.

Police say Lewis Javon Rumley, 41, was shot and killed on Saturday, November 20 at approximately 8:18 p.m.

The Martinsville-Henry County Emergency 911 Center received a call that an individual had been shot in the parking lot of 950 Blackberry Rd., Bassett, VA. At 8:23 pm, deputies arrived on the scene and found a male victim on the ground.

The victim had suffered at least one gunshot wound to the torso, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim was identified as Rumley, of Fieldale, Virginia. The body will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the Western District of Virginia where an autopsy will be performed.

Dewayne Euvonne Austin Jr., 20, of 177 Niblett Drive in Martinsville was identified as the suspect. Warrants have been issued on Austin for first degree murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He is described as a black male, 5′8″, 135 pounds.

Anyone with information regarding this homicide or the whereabouts of Dewayne Euvonne Austin Jr. is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 276-638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463). The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards up to $2500.00 for information related to crime.


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About the Author
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You can watch Lindsey during Virginia Today every weekend or as a reporter during the week!