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Vigil honors Chesapeake Police officer and son killed in double homicide

Posted at 7:45 PM, Aug 09, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-09 23:13:20-04

CHESAPEAKE, Va. - Hundreds of family and friends gathered to remember a Chesapeake Police Officer and his son, who were murdered at their home on Sunday.

"The Toothman family is such a big part of this community, they're involved in everything, they are model citizens, they are engaged, they've got great kids, they're great parents, they do the right thing, always positive," says Lain Lewis, a family friend.

A vigil was held at the Centerville Baptist Church at 8 p.m.

Police have charged 20-year-old Zachary Toothmanfor the murder of his father, Mike Toothman, and his brother, Matthew.

According to Zachary's friends, he completed two years at Virginia Tech and was actively pursuing a career in the military.

"It's just so unimaginable, I can't make sense of it," says Lewis.

The Toothman mother, Susan, was also wounded in the shooting but has been released from the hospital.

Officers came to support Detective Toothman, who served with the Chesapeake Police Department for more than 30 years.

Others like Lewis came to the vigil for his other role, a supporter of the Hickory High School marching band.

Matthew, a rising senior, played the bass drum.

"They're all very devastated," says Lewis. "Matthew was always positive, always had a good attitude, 'yes sir, nor sir, what can I do to help you,' just like his parents, a wonderful young man."

According to the pastor of Centerville Baptist, the family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations are made to the Chesapeake Police Department to honor Mike and to the Hickory Band Parents Association in honor of Matthew.