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Arrest made in first Newport News homicide of 2015

Posted at 11:08 PM, Jan 01, 2015
and last updated 2015-01-01 23:11:13-05

Hampton, Va. - One out of the two suspects at large for a  fatal shooting and police chase from Newport News has been arrested.

Police say two people were involved in a shooting at the BP gas station at the intersection of Warwick Boulevard and Tabbs Lane in Newport News at 9:20pm.

Jerrod Reid

One man was shot. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The victim has been identified as 23-year-old Jerrod Reid of Newport News.

Newport News Police arrested 28-year-old Rishaud Vannoy Ben Powell for the January 1 murder of Reid. Powell was arrested on January 7.

Powell has been charged with with murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Reid's friends and family gathered together at the gas station where he was killed.

"It's our brother. I have to show our respect. I mean this is the last place he was here and we just came here to show our condolences," said Willie Washington, Reid's best friend.

Washington says Reid was a graduate of Denbeigh High School, had a big smile and even bigger heart.

His cousin, Reg just doesn't understand why anyone would kill Reid.

"He left my house and hour before the situation and now he's gone," Reg said. "They didn't have to kill my man. He was a good guy, you had joy if you were around him."

The two men who pulled the trigger were able to get away from police after a two-city chase but eventually arrested one man. The men in the vehicle ditched the car on Breckinridge Court near Briarfield Park and ran.

Units from Newport News, Hampton and Virginia State Police are all involved in the search. They were unable to locate the suspects using K-9s. However, Hampton Police have increased patrols in the area and all officers do have pictures of the suspects.