GREENSVILLE COUNTY, Va. –- An inmate who escaped from Southside Regional Jail in Emporia was found and taken back into custody Saturday morning.

Billy Dillon, 50, was located about two miles away from the jail sometime after midnight, according to the Greensville County Sheriff's Office.

Dillon had forced his way through a walk-in gate while taking out the trash at the jail Friday evening.

Court records showed Dillon was serving three years on a grand larceny conviction.

EMPORIA, Va. — A murder suspect was flown to the hospital in Richmond with non-life threatening injuries after he was involved in a shootout with police.

Greensville Sheriff’s deputies and Emporia Police showed up at a Crescent Road home in Greensville County Sunday night as part of an investigation into a previous shooting in Emporia.

“Three individuals exited the residence without incident at approximately 9:30 p.m. One of the males was taken into custody for questioning in connection with the [previous Carol Street [shooting],” Virginia State Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Vick said.

About 20 minutes later, the situation turned violent.

“A fourth occupant charged out the front door of the residence with a firearm in each hand shooting at the Greensville County Sheriff’s Deputies and State Police on scene,” Vick said. “The Sheriff’s Deputies and Virginia State Police personnel immediately took cover and returned fire.”

The suspect, whose name has not yet been released, was wanted for first-degree murder in Maryland.

The 33-year-old man was flown to VCU Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Charges against the man are pending, Vick said.

No law enforcement officer was hurt in the shooting.

“In accordance with Virginia State Police policy, the two State Police troopers and one special agent involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave with pay,” Vick said.

This is a developing story. Witnesses can submit a news tip here.

EMPORIA, Va. – The murder suspect wounded in a shootout with Emporia police Sunday, February 12, has been charged with 12 felonies in relation to the incident.

Anthony Dangelo Wilkins, 33, of Emporia, has been charged with five counts of attempted capital murder of a police officer, five counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Anthony Dangelo Wilkins

The officer involved shooting happened after Greensville Sheriff’s deputies and Emporia Police showed up at a Crescent Road home Sunday night as part of an investigation into a previous shooting in Emporia.

Investigators say three individuals exited the residence without incident. One of the males was taken into custody for questioning.

About 20 minutes later, the situation turned violent.

“A fourth occupant charged out the front door of the residence with a firearm in each hand shooting at the Greensville County Sheriff’s Deputies and State Police on scene,” Vick said. “The Sheriff’s Deputies and Virginia State Police personnel immediately took cover and returned fire.”

That fourth occupant identified as Wilkins is also wanted for first-degree murder in Maryland.

Wilkins was struck during the shootout and flown to VCU Medical Center with serious injuries. He is still being treated for those injuries.

No law enforcement officer was hurt in the shooting.

The shooting is still being investigated by the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Chesapeake Field Office.

EMPORIA, Va. — Investigators working to solve a weekend murder are looking for Brittany O’Bannon.

O’Bannon, 27, of Emporia, was named a person of interest in the Saturday morning shooting death of Quinton L. Ivey.

“Police received information that three individuals were seen running east on Church Street from the crime scene after Mr. Ivey was shot,” Emporia Police Chief Ricky A. Pinksaw said. “The Emporia Police Department is asking for the community’s assistance to locating Brittany O’Bannon who has been identified as a person of interest in this criminal investigation.”

It was not made clear whether O’Bannon was seen running on Church Street.

Brittany O’Bannon (PHOTO via Independent-Messenger)

Police were called to the 300 block of Church Street in Emporia for a shooting at about 4:20 on Saturday morning.

“Upon the Officers arrival they located and later identified Quinton L. Ivey as the shooting victim,” the chief said.

Police have not yet said what preceded the shooting, nor have they identified the people seen running on Church Street.

“If anyone knows of [Brittany O’Bannon’s] whereabouts, or has any other information about who may have killed Mr. Ivey… please contact the Emporia Police Department at 434-634-2121,” the chief said. “Any piece of information that you may feel is not important is critical to the successful conclusion of this investigation to bring the murderer of Mr. Ivey to justice.”

The mother of Ivey’s children hopes someone will come forward with information soon.

“He was a good person with a good heart. He would have helped anyone that he could,” Ebony Winn said.

Wiin and Ivey have two children, ages five and two.

This is a developing story. Anyone with additional information can send a news tip here.

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. – The driver charged with killing a father driving home from his second job was in court Monday. Matthew Pernell, 27, of Emporia, pleaded guilty to aggravated involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence.

The early-morning fatal crash killed Alonza Jefferson -- a Chesterfield father of two --just days after Christmas in 2016. Jefferson was on his way home to celebrate his daughter’s birthday the next day.

An Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney informed Judge TJ Hauler that Jefferson was on his way home from his second job last December on Route 288 when Pernell's southbound pick-up truck swerved across the grass median and slammed into Jefferson's Cadillac. Jefferson sustained multiple injuries that were determined fatal on the scene. He was 46.

This was Pernell’s third offense. A check of court records showed Pernell faced more than a dozen traffic charges since 2008, including two DUI convictions – one in 2010, another in 2013.

Alonza Jefferson

In court Monday afternoon, evidence was released that determined Pernell was almost three times the legal limit for driving under the influence.

It was a tough day in court for the Jefferson family, who had never previously heard all the details of Alonza’s death.

The family said even though a sentence was issued, it didn't ease the pain felt by their loss.

"I'm definitely glad that things are moving along and we do have a sentencing date now,” said Destani Huffman-Jefferson, Alonza’s daughter. “Obviously, it is so extremely emotional and heartbreaking, especially to hear all the details and evidence that was presented today."

Destani Huffman-Jefferson

Pernell faces up to 25 years behind bars in prison. The judge set a sentencing date at 9 a.m. on Sept. 25.

"Really no punishment, no time in jail is going to bring my dad back," Destani said, "but I definitely don't want to see this go swept under the rug. He deserves the time and the punishment because it's not okay, it's not acceptable."

While the records show that this was Pernell's third DUI in 10 years, sources say he had a DUI in 2010 that was later downgraded to a reckless driving charge.

EMPORIA, Va. -- The CBS 6 Morning team wished a very Happy Birthday to Nellie Williams.

Ms. Williams turned 105 this week.

Ms. Williams was blessed with 11 children, 39 grandchildren, 52 great grandchildren., four great-great grandchildren. and two great-great-great-grandchildren.

After commenting on how good Ms. Williams looks, the CBS 6 morning team asked an important question.

"How do you keep track of all those names?" Nikki-Dee asked.

"That's when you say, 'come here baby,'" Reba replied.

EMPORIA, Va. -- Parents and local business owners have raised money for a reward, hoping to help police find the person or persons who opened fire during the fireworks portion of the Peanut Festival.

It happened Saturday night and the sound of gunfire sent hundreds running for cover while parents tried to protect their children.

Pastor Brad Barbour with Victory Fellowship Church looked out to see the commotion.

"[Parents] having their arms out and pushing them against the building and telling them to get down and stay close,” he recalled.

At that moment, Barbour said he jumped into action, opening the doors to the church so it can serve as a sanctuary for those fleeing the gunshots.

"Kids were laying under the pews crying" he said

The Peanut Festival is a huge event and draw for Emporia.

It features bands, vendors, food trucks, carnival rides and fireworks.

"This is Americana at its best," says Commonwealth's Attorney Patricia Watson.

Yet, what started out as a beautiful day and wonderful family event changed drastically as the sun went down.

Billy Newsome is behind getting the reward fund started.

"You just can't have people shooting guns around children at a carnival,” Newsome said.

Newsome was there with his family and young son, who he says looked up to see “a mass group of people, they were all running for their cars.”

“[The shooters had]a total disregard for any of the people that were here, any of the children that were here,” he added.

Pastor Barbour opened up his church again Monday evening for parents, their children and anyone from the community to attend a meeting where a counselor spoke, to try to ease the tension some children were experiencing.

"The thought process was the kids need it, parents need it and the community needs it.”

The reward now stands at $4,000.

EMPORIA, Va. – Two people have been arrested after the car of a 79-year-old man found beaten to death inside his Southside Virginia home was found hours away Saturday night in Washington, DC.

Greensville County Commonwealth's Attorney Patricia Watson said Jimmy Webb was murdered inside his home.

"A man, asleep in his home in the middle of town. The house gets broken into and he gets murdered for no apparent -- there's no rationale for it,” Watson said. "This is a very inconspicuous house, on a very inconspicuous street, in the middle of town. It cannot be random."

Jimmy Webb

The disturbing discovery happened after a neighbor called police when he saw something unusual Saturday morning.

"The guy next door saw a chair propped up against the house and window knocked out and the car gone, so he called the police,” Webb’s son-in-law, Southgate Lee, said. "Apparently, he must of confronted them or something and they beat him to death in the bedroom.”

Investigators quickly determined that two items were missing; Webb’s wallet and car.

Webb's home

As a result, law enforcement across the state were notified and that is when investigator made their first break in the case.

"License plate readers in Washington, and also Maryland, picked up the vehicle,” Watson said. “The vehicle was found by the Washington Police Department after the BOLs were put out, they spotted the vehicle and stopped it."

Watson said one person inside Webb's car was from northern Virginia. The other was from Maryland, she said.

Detectives from Emporia traveled to Washington to talk with the two suspects.

At this point the pair are only facing larceny charges for stealing the car. They have not been charged with murder.

Webb was well known and liked in Emporia and Greensville County.

"I've never heard anybody say a bad thing about him, never,” Lee said.

Dale Temple, Webb’s neighbor and a lifelong friend, remembered him as a “great person” who did good things for people.”

Investigators believe someone has information that could help solve this crime.

Family members urged anyone with information to come forward, so they can have justice for Webb.

If you have information that could help detectives, call Emporia Police at 434-634-2121, ext 6, or the Crime Line at 434-634-1111.

This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can submit a news tip here

EMPORIA, Va. — After 44 years of serving pork, and the community of Southside Virginia , the Virginia Pork Festival has called it quits — at least for now. Citing rising costs, dwindling volunteers, and uneven attendance, festival director Karen Hall said the decision to cancel the 2018 Virginia Pork Festival was a sad one.

“After the board voted not to have it… I cried all the way home,” Hall said.

While the Virginia Pork Festival attracted approximately 7,000 people to Emporia last year, the numbers just did not add up to keep the festival going, she said.

“Last year‘s ticket sales were down, we feel because of a storm that was coming in the forecast,” she said. “We did not have the ticket sales we would have liked the day of and the day before the festival.”

Attendance, she added, had been slipping over the past 15 years.

“The group that managed the festival for the last three years, actually changed the atmosphere of the festival for the better, attendance had picked up, and a genuine love the festival was instilled in the community again,” she said.

But it was not enough.

Since news of the festival’s cancellation hit social media last week, festival fans have reached out and shared their sorrow.

“Many people commented on the Facebook post that they would have been glad to have helped,” Hall said. “Maybe so, but when it comes down to it, the same few volunteers are the ones that show up.”

In addition to having a hard time finding new volunteers, Hall said new sponsorship was hard to come by.

“Since the beginning, sponsors of this festival were feed, seed, and affiliated with pork production,” she said. “The small pork farmer has all but disappeared.”

Festival goers are not the only ones missing out this year.

So too are the non-profit organizations that benefited from the festival.

“After the festival was over, the Virginia Pork Festival wrote each nonprofit group or organization [that volunteered] a [donation] check,” she said. “They in turn, gave it back to their individual communities in some shape or form, whether it was a scholarship, buying equipment for a fire department, or helping a homeless family.”

Despite the hardships, Hall said the Virginia Pork Festival has not yet ruled out a return in 2019.

“Keep checking back on our social media to see if there are any changes,” she said. “We greatly appreciate any and all that have ever attended a Virginia Pork Festival. I know it was a tradition, yearly, with a lot of people and they will miss it a lot. We are already missing it. I believe that Emporia will truly miss it after June 13, the second Wednesday of June. It was not an easy decision to make.”

EMPORIA, Va. – The superintendent of Greensville County Public Schools issued a statement after a video was shared over the weekend that showed a young student being bullied on the bus.

The video was shared on social media by a woman who said she is the child’s mother. The video shows a bus full of students yelling at a peer, who is sitting with his head down as children taunt him. What exactly sparked the incident is not clear, though the child is taunted for his shoes several times in the video. The child can be seen in the video pushing back at the person filming.

Multiple children pull out their phones and film the event as the child is taunted. Then one child can be heard telling the visibly upset student “you good bro, we was just playing, you all right, bro.” Another child is heard going “post it on Instagram.”

Superintendent Angela B. Wilson issued a statement that said the incident is being investigated and that bullying will not be tolerated:

“On April 15th, a disturbing video was shared on social media of a student being bullied. The safety and well-being of all Greensville County Public Schools students is our highest priority. Bullying of any kind is not tolerated in our schools or on our school buses. The behaviors demonstrated in this incident are disturbing, and are being addressed promptly according to the Student Code of Conduct and school division policy. We share the concerns of our community about this situation and will be exploring more ways to clearly communicate to our students and families how to prevent this kind of incident from occurring in the future.”

The actions of several children in the video seem to directly be in violation of the school’s policy regarding student conduct and bullying and fighting.

The video is posted here. Viewers should be aware that the content is sensitive before clicking over to the video.

CBS 6 reached out to school officials and asked where the bus driver was, what the school’s police is regarding cellphone on the bus, what message was sent to parents, and what disciplinary actions would be taken against the students.

Superintendent Wilson issued a statement to CBS 6:

“The investigation of this incident remains in progress.  At this time, no additional information is available to report. The policy that governs cell phones includes activity on all school property, including school buses.”

GREENSVILLE COUNTY, Va. -- Authorities said a man is in custody following a fatal shooting in Emporia Saturday afternoon.

Greensville County Sheriff W. T Jarratt Jr. said deputies were called to a home in the 1000 block of Dry Bread Road for a report of a fight between two men at 3:10 p.m.

"While units were responding the communications center received a call back stating that shots had been fired," Jarratt said.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they found one of the men suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

Jarratt said that when rescue crews arrived, the victim was pronounced dead.

Officials said his name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Jarratt said the other man at the scene was detained, but there has been no word yet on possible charges.

The shooting remains under investigation.

Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office at 434 348 4200 or the Emporia/Greensville Crime Line at 434 634 1111.

This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can submit a news tip here.

EMPORIA, Va. -- The spouse of a Virginia State Police trooper who works with the handler of the K-9 killed in a shootout with a murder suspect in rural Sussex County last week said she felt compelled to act after the dog's passing.

"I felt like I needed to do something for the men that were on the team and also for Vader -- just to honor him," the organizer, who asked WTVR CBS 6 not to use her name, said.

Surprisingly, she said designing and creating the T-shirts only took her about "an hour or two" and that everything for the project just "fell into place."

In fact, she said she already had the photo of Vader that was taken last winter in the snow.

"So I just put it with the blue-line flag," she recalled.

Vader tribute T-shirts

The $25 shirts, which are available in black, gray, blue and chestnut, are emblazoned with Vader’s name and photo in front of a shrouded American flag along with “EOW 8/01/2018.”  [Click here for the T-shirt website.]

She said she has been overwhelmed by the response. In fact, her initial goal was to sell 50 shirts so the order could be printed. Much to her surprise, 100 shirts were sold in the just the first six hours.

"I just went with it and it got bigger than I thought it would," she said. "It was just really something for the team to know that... our family supports them... And now everybody else is supporting them, too."

As of Friday night, 72 shirts had been sold and $760 had been raised. By Saturday night that number had jumped to 375 shirts totaling more than $4800. And by Monday morning the number had skyrocketed to over 600 shirts told for a total of more than and $7800.

The hundreds of comments on the T-shirt website -- and the balloon-covered K-9 cruiser -- show Vader's story has touched many people.

"I have seen the tributes. It's incredible," she said about the cruiser. "I have definitely looked at the comments... You go through and you read them and there are tearjerkers in there. Just to know that people are supporting our police officers, it just warms my heart."

She said the tremendous outpouring of support is giving "all of the guys that were there" comfort.

"The love and support that people are showing for Vader and these guys is incredible," she said.

While she has never worked with a K-9, she had close friends who do. She said the animals become an integral part of their trooper or officer's daily work life.

"That's who they work with. That's their partner," she said. "That is a big hit. That is a big loss for them to lose somebody... It's their partner -- and it's tough."

"He was my boy," Vader's handler said.

K-9's handler: 'Vader will always be loved'

Vader's handler said late Saturday that his partner will never be forgotten.

"Vader, a K-9, a trooper, but also one of my best friends. Vader was not only my dog, he was my boy. I loved him and he loved me even more," Vader's handler wrote in a statement to WTVR CBS 6. "It breaks my heart to know that he is gone, but I know he was one of the good guys and he has made it to a better place. I always watched out for him and his safety; now, he is watching out for me. Vader will not be forgotten and he will always be loved."

Virginia State Police are expected to announce plans for a memorial service for the two-year-old Belgian Malinois as a growing collection of tributes decorates a blue-and-gray K-9 vehicle at the agency's administrative headquarters on Midlothian Turnpike.

Scores of balloons, flowers, dog treats and toys as well as an American flag sat atop the cruiser Saturday.

"Our canine program is essential in so much of what we do as a Department to achieve our public safety mission," Virginia State Police Superintendent Col. Gary T. Settle said on Thursday. "We are all deeply saddened by the loss of Vader and are forever grateful for his sacrifice and selfless service to the state police and the Commonwealth."

A tribute to Vader at VSP Headquarters at 57 Midlothian Turnpike in North Chesterfield.

The Belgian Malinoisis was carried beyond crime scene tape where his life ended in a farewell salute to the fallen state police narcotics detection canine.

"For our canine handlers, their dogs are more than just a partner on the job," Settle said. "They are their protectors, their constant companion and confidant on the road. Vader was family."

A police processional followed for the two-year-old K-9 whose end of watch came just seven months after he graduated training.

Vader as a K-9 trainee during a test search during training exercises at Virginia State Police Headquarters in November of 2017.

New Haven Police Chief: 'Thoughts and prayers' for troopers 

During a news conference Thursday, New Haven Police Chief Anthony Campbell paused to thank Virginia State Police and showed a photo of Vader to honor his sacrifice.

“And one of the final things I would like to do is have [an officer] show the photo of K-9 Vader and ask for the thoughts and prayers of this community the citizens of this great state for the troopers in Virginia who have lost a member of their department.

Campbell said he plans to send officers to Vader's memorial to show "respect and support" for state police.

New Haven's Police Chief said officials are looking into using some of $30,000 reward offered by the U.S. Marshal’s Violent Fugitive Task Force and States Attorney’s office to help fund “Vadar's” funeral.

The man killed in the shootout with Virginia State Police was murder suspect Tramaine Marquese Poole of New Haven, Conn.

Poole was called the 41-year-old "Public Enemy Number One" after he allegedly fatally shot 28-year-old Tyekqua Nesbitt in front of her two children in New Haven on May 31.

Detectives then set off a nationwide manhunt for the suspect who was considered armed and dangerous and also wanted in New Haven for the first-degree shooting assault of his wife on May 7. He was also a convicted felon who has several drug and gun convictions as well as accessory to assault with serious injury, according to online records.

EMPORIA, Va. — Authorities said charges are pending against a mother after police said she left her baby in a hot car in Emporia Friday night.

Emporia Police Chief Rick Pinksaw said the incident happened outside the Domino’s Pizza in the 200 block of Market Drive.

That is where Pinksaw said 30-year-old Blondia Curry, who works at the pizza shop, left work and discovered she had left her six-month-old infant in her car.

Pinksaw said the woman grabbed the child and ran back into the pizza shop.

He said dispatchers received a 911 call at 9:10 p.m.

Once officers arrived, they began CPR on the unresponsive child, Pinksaw said.

Greensville EMS transported the infant to Southside Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The child’s body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Richmond where an autopsy was performed.

Curry, who has several other children, allegedly dropped them off at day care earlier in the evening before arriving at the Domino’s for her shift.

Charges are pending against Curry, according to police.

Officials said their investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Baby is second child to die in hot car this week in Central Virginia 

The child’s death comes just two days after a 17-month-old boy died after being left in a hot car at the Capitol One campus in Goochland County.

Dispatchers received a 911 call at 12:30 p.m. from a mother who had been contacted by her son’s daycare asking if her 17-month-old was going to be dropped off on Wednesday.

The mother then contacted the boy’s father who said he had forgotten to drop his son off at daycare -0 and had left him in the car, in the uncovered parking deck in West Creek Business Park.

Goochland Fire and Rescue, deputies, and Capitol One security all responded and attempted to revive the unconscious 17-month-old.

The boy was then transported to Henrico Doctor’s Hospital where was pronounced dead at 1:21 p.m

This is the fourth child to die in a hot car in Virginia this year, according to KidsAndCars.org. The advocacy group that raises “awareness and educating the public about non-traffic incidents which are very serious health and safety issues.”

Additionally, 4-month-old twins died after being left in a hot car in Chesterfield in May, according to police.

The infant is the 32nd child this year to die due to heatstroke after being left in the car in the United States, according to a KidsAndCars.org press release.

“Virginia ranks #10 in the nation in child hot car deaths with 27 fatalities since 1997,” the press release read.

This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can submit a news tip here.

EMPORIA, Va. -- The mother of the six-month-old boy who died after he was left in a car for hours Friday said she forgot her baby was in the car after childcare plans fell through. Police in Emporia are still investigating Friday's incident.

Blondia Curry, 30, said she was taking her children to stay with various family members Friday before work when she got a call that led to tragedy.

"My youngest daughter's father calls and he said his mother wasn't going to be able to watch [one of her daughters]. That's what I believe threw me off," the mother of four said.

Curry said she arranged for one relative to watch her three oldest children.

After she dropped them off, she said she drove to her job at Domino's Pizza on Market Drive in Emporia -- forgetting to drop off her baby at another relative's home.

"My friend called me on the way to work and asked me about my oldest daughter, checking on her, and I just forgot all about dropping the baby off," Curry admitted.

Police believe baby Dameer was left in his mother's car about five hours, between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday.

Curry discovered the child in distress when she went outside during a work break.

Witnesses and later police and EMS attempted to revive the child, but it was too late.

Dameer was pronounced dead at the hospital.

"I've been stressed out with my 10-year-old daughter [who was recently diagnosed with diabetes]. I could have lost her. Just been a lot on me," Curry said.

Police said Curry was cooperating with their investigation and they were currently awaiting autopsy result from the Medical Examiner's Office.

"I do everything for my kids, I work hard for them," Curry, who worked this summer at both Domino's Pizza and Greensville High School said. "That's how much I love my kids. They didn't ask to be here, you know? I did anything I could for my kids."

EMPORIA, Va. — Police in Emporia issued a warning on social media ahead of this weekend’s Virginia Peanut Festival.

“The Emporia Police Department has received credible information of potential acts of violence at this year’s annual Peanut Festival,” the Facebook post read. “Due to the incidents last year, we had taken extra measures to increase security at this year’s event.”

In 2017, someone opened fire during the Saturday night fireworks show.

No one was injured in the 2017 shooting that sent families fleeing for safety.

“After receiving this credible information, we have taken additional measures to increase security even more,” the police Facebook post continued. “We ask all attendees to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.”

Police did not provide additional details about the nature of the threat.

The 56th Virginia Peanut Festival is scheduled to take place September 20-23 on South Main Street in Emporia.

The festival features bands, vendors, food trucks, carnival rides, and fireworks.

CBS 6 reached out to festival organizers, who said they are working to make the event as safe as possible:

“We are aware of the report from the City of Emporia Police Department and are in contact with them regarding security for this weekend’s events.  The Department is in charge of security and we have confidence in the proactive measures the department is taking.  We will be coordinating efforts throughout the week in preparation for the festival and during the festival itself to make the event as safe as possible for our patrons.”

This is a developing story. Witnesses can send news tips, photos, and video here.

EMPORIA, Va. -- Jaquan Crumpler was described as a hard-working young man who loved his family. Those family members say he loved nothing more than to make them laugh.

Sometime between 4:30 and nine 9:30 Thursday evening, someone killed the 20-year-old.

“It hurts so bad. It’s tough, it’s tough, they took something, they took my baby,” said his mom LaToia Crumpler while standing outside the home she shared with Jaquan and his younger brother.

Police say Jaquan got off work in Stony Creek and headed to his Clay Street home in Emporia.

It would be Jaquan’s younger brother who would find him in an upstairs bedroom with a gunshot wound.

“They don’t know what they have done to this family,” said his mom, while her sister stood beside her, trying to comfort her as the tears flowed.

In the midst of tragedy, the family shared good memories of Jaquan.

“He’s funny, he would make you laugh,” said multiple family members.

Police Chief Ricky Pinksaw says there’s no evidence of forced entry and the house was not in disarray, meaning Jaquan may have known his killer.

Friday Morning, Emporia Police Detectives were walking Clay Street, canvassing the neighborhood, searching for answers and looking for clues.

Jaquan’s mother pleaded for someone who knows something to call the police so there will be justice for her son.

"Please call the police, please. Give anything you know, anything will help, please,” said Crumpler. "Please help me find justice for my son."

If you have any information about the killing of JaQuan Crumpler, you're asked to call the Crime Line at 434-634-1111.

EMPORIA, Va. -- The mother of a man shot to death on Valentine’s Day was stunned when police told her a 15-year-old boy had been arrested for the crime.

Police said 20-year-old Jaquan Crumpler was found shot to death in his bedroom at a home on Clay Street in Emporia around 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 14.

Officials said days of investigating and interviewing some of the same friends over and over developed enough probable cause for a search warrant.

As a result, Emporia Police went to a home on Virginia Avenue -- about two blocks from police headquarters -- and arrested a 15-year-old boy for first-degree murder on Thursday night.

Crime Insider sources said the suspect is a Greensville High School student.

"He came over here after my son passed every day and grieved with us,” LaToia Crumple said. “He told me it would be OK -- and the whole time I’m standing next to my son’s killer."

Crumple said the arrest of her son’s killer reignites the heartache.

"They knew each other, they hung with each other,” LaToia Crumple said. “He used to always say, you can't trust nobody."

Emporia Police Chief Ricky Pinksaw said he cannot wrap his mind around the violence.

"It's really hard to make sense out of nonsense and for an individual to perpetrate the act that he did on the victim –-- and then to go back and grieve with family makes no sense to me," Pinksaw said.

The teen is being held at a juvenile detention facility.

GREENSVILLE COUNTY, Va. — Police say an Emporia man with mental disabilities has been missing since Wednesday afternoon and is in danger due to weather conditions.

Clarence Nix was last seen headed in the direction of I-95 at Exit 13 and Otterdam Road this afternoon and has not been seen since, according to police.

Nix is described as 5’10” and 145 lbs and was last seen wearing khaki pants and a striped shirt.

Police have been conducting a manhunt from Tuesday afternoon into the evening.

Police say Nix is in danger due to weather conditions as well as the terrain he is possibly in.

If anyone has any information on this individual or his whereabouts, please call the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office at 434-348-4200.

GREENSVILLE COUNTY, Va. — Crews are dealing with heat exhaustion as the search for an Emporia man missing since Wednesday afternoon in rural Greensville County entered fourth day Saturday.

Clarence Nix, who authorities said has mental disabilities, was last seen headed in the direction of I-95 at Exit 13 and Otterdam Road, deputies said.

Clarence Nix

The 40-year-old is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 145 pounds. He was last seen wearing khaki pants and a green striped polo shirt.

Greensville County Sheriff W.T. Jarratt Jr. told WTVR CBS 6 senior reporter Wayne Covil that Nix has spent four days in the extreme heat.

“Time is running out as far as his safety and well-being,” Sheriff W.T. Jarratt Jr. said.

Officials stressed Nix is not in any trouble and that his parents are very worried about him.

“He’s never spent a night away from home,” Jarratt said about the “well respected gentleman.”

Additionally, the sheriff said the church deacon helps take care of his parents and they feel lost without him.

“They miss what he does for them and are having a hard time functioning at home without his help,” Jarratt said.

Authorities said the fact that Nix does not have a cellphone nor credit card makes their search more difficult.  However, officials said he may have some cash.

Officials said with the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office said they decided to expand the search area Saturday morning and urged folks to be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary.

“If you see anything that looks different or out of place, please contact the sheriffs office,” Jarratt said. “There will be searchers on the highways and road edges so please be aware.”

Deputies have been conducting a manhunt since Wednesday afternoon and law enforcement has used a number of resources, including K-9s, search and rescue, tactical teams and water rescue teams.

In fact, Jarratt said crews have come from as far as Tidewater, Fairfax, Christiansburg and Blacksburg.

Additionally, the county has had resources from Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

There has also been an outpouring of support from local businesses and folks on social media.

“Thank you all for the encouraging words, messages and calls during this search, but please be sure to keep Clarence Nix in your thoughts and prayers that we can locate him and keep his family in your thoughts also,” officials posted on Facebook late Friday.

If anyone has seen Nix or has information that could help investigators, call the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office at 434-348-4200.

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EMPORIA, Va. – A death investigation is underway after a body was pulled from the Meherrin River in Emporia Wednesday afternoon.

The Emporia Police Department says they were asked Wednesday to assist the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office in searching for a missing person, 21-year-old Jamier Leonard.

That search began around noon and spanned several miles of the Meherrin River.

Personnel from the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department located the body of an adult male in the Meherrin River at approximately 2:30 p.m.

The body was located approximately 100 yards from the I-95 bridge.

The body has not been identified and has been transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Richmond for an autopsy.

Police say they are trying to make a positive identification of the body and their death investigation is on-going.

This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can submit a news tip here.

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