NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Newport News police said they have charged a man in connection to the double homicide that claimed the lives of two teens last summer.
"Today I would like to share we have made an arrest in that double homicide case. On Monday of this week, Camari Hayes, 20-years old, was charged. We have two young men that have lost their lives," Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said.
On August 29, two teens, ages 15 and 17, were shot and killed at Meadow View Townhomes just after 9 p.m. One juvenile died at the scene and the other juvenile died at a local hospital, according to police.
Watch Chief Drew's full press conference on Friday:
Camari Hayes, 20, of Newport News, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, reckless handling of a firearm and discharging a firearm in public, according to the NNPD.
Chief Drew said that Hayes was served warrants Monday while he was in custody on unrelated charges.
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2 juveniles killed in shooting at Meadow View Townhomes in Newport News
The Chief didn't want to discuss motive in Friday's press conference, but he said that police believe the victims and suspect knew each other.
"It's good news about a horrible incident that affected our community," Chief Drew said. "We lost two valuable people in our community, two teenagers, and the detectives that had to sit with families and share that with them are able to go back now and tell them that at least there's some closure, at least there's an arrest."
Detectives and "crime analysts" have been investigating since August. The chief credits technology for aiding in obtaining an arrest warrant on Monday.
Watch previous coverage:2 juveniles killed in shooting at Meadow View Townhomes in Newport News
Drew says it was important to deliver the news from the place where it happened, to show the police's commitment to the community.
After Drew gave an update, he and other officers went door to door to talk to neighbors in Meadow View Townhomes to share the news of an arrest.
"I am sorry we had to meet that way, I am sorry we had to deliver the news that night," he said to the families of the victims and the nearby community. "I am thankful for the men and women that investigated this case and the hours and hours that they put in it...We're going to continue to persevere and be resolved and stay focused. Do not commit acts of violence in this city."
Stay with News 3 for updates.
