MARTINSVILLE, Va. – UPDATE
A bullet hole in a window on the front of a house in the 300 block of Clift Street is one of nine in the front of the house.
Martinsville Deputy Police Chief Robert Fincher said 23-year-old Devontae Massey and 24-year-old Rasheem Hairston were hit by gunfire after an argument at a New Year's Eve party at the Clift Street house.
“One was outside and the other was coming outside,” Fincher said.
Hairston was killed.
Massey is facing five charges, including second-degree murder, and is not cooperating with investigators.
While investigators say Massey fired shots, they weren't sure Tuesday if Hairston was the person who shot Massey.
“If you’re having a disagreement with someone, don’t let your emotions get the better of you," Fincher emphasized. "Don’t let your emotions end up forcing you into doing something that rationally, level-headedly normally you would not do. Back away from the situation.”
What the argument that led to the shooting was about is unclear.
Police say neighbors and witnesses are being cooperative.
Rhonda Workman recently bought a house on the street and is renovating it.
The homicide doesn’t bother her.
“I’ve been in and out of this house for the last two weeks working on it. The street is very quiet,” Workman said.
She’s been getting to know the people who live on the street so she can keep up with what’s going on.
“They all seem helpful and nice. I’ve even shared my phone number with them. In case something happens when I’m not around, they can let me know,” Workman said.
Police said the street is usually quiet and not a place they frequently get called to.
Fincher also expressed thanks to the Henry County Sheriff's Office and Virginia State Police for helping the department.
"Last night when all of this was going on, on top of it being New Year's Eve and all the additional calls that are coming in, we needed their assistance," Fincher said. "They came and assisted us in helping control the situation."
Tuesday afternoon, Massey was recovering at a hospital in Roanoke.
Once he is released from the hospital, Roanoke Police will arrest him and arrange for him to be brought back to Martinsville.
ORIGINAL STORY
Police are investigating after one person was killed and another was wounded in a shooting early Tuesday morning.
Police responded at 1:20 a.m. to 313 Clift St., just off Starling Avenue, where they say they found 24-year-old Rasheem Oshea Hairston, of Eden, North Carolina, dead.
The house was hit nine times.
After officers arrived on Clift Street, they were called to the hospital for a second person with gunshot wounds.
Devontae Massey, 23, of Martinsville, had also been shot at the same incident on Clift Street. His injuries were non-life threatening.
He is charged with second-degree murder, using a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, reckless handling of a firearm and discharging a firearm in the city.
Although the warrants have been issued, the incident remains under investigation.
Anyone who has information related to this incident is asked to contact Sgt. Richard Ratcliffe at 403-5331 or Lt. Sandy Hines at 403-5328.
Those with information can also call the Crime Stoppers line at 276-63-CRIME.
Crime Stoppers is an anonymous tip line and callers with information leading to the arrest and conviction could be eligible for up to a $2,500 reward.