3 arrested in shooting of Virginia Beach boy
Police believe it was gang-related
VIRGINIA BEACH — Police announced three arrests Friday in connection to a shooting that left an 8-year-old boy seriously injured.
Police believe the shooting to be gang-related, Chief Paul Neudigate said at a news conference Friday afternoon.
Two Chesapeake residents — Toriyon Cook, 21, and Jerry Davis, 24 — were arrested within the past week. Each was charged with 27 counts of aggravated malicious wounding, use of a firearm, conspiracy and 24 counts of maliciously discharging a firearm into a dwelling.
Norfolk resident Jakyra Epperson, 21, was arrested Feb. 14 and charged with felonies for attempting to conceal or destroy evidence, and conspiracy to conceal or destroy evidence.
On Feb. 13, officers responded to the 3200 block of Peele Court following reports of gunfire and a ShotSpotter alert. Landyn Davis, 8, was struck by a bullet in the back of his head. He was in his parents’ bedroom when the front of the house was riddled by over 20 bullets.
Landyn was rushed to the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, where he was in a medically induced coma for the next six days.
The shooting was not random, though investigators do not believe Landyn or his family were the intended targets, Neudigate said. Instead, someone standing outside the home likely was.
Police established a digital evidence portal for community members to upload video or other information. The Crime Solvers phone line raised the reward for information to $5,000. And the police department assembled a task force with up to 40 officers working the case and served over 30 search warrants.
“When we have an 8-yearold male who is playing video games in his residence, it tugs at the heartstrings a little bit more,” Neudigate said. “And we’re going to make sure that we do everything we can to bring justice in that incident.”
The investigation is ongoing, and more people may be connected.
“Our goal is to hold everyone that had some part of this accountable,” Neudigate said.
Meanwhile, Landyn continues to recover at CHKD.
“He’s doing amazing,” said his mother, Emily Rigsby. “He’s making a lot of progress.”
Rigsby said he has been receiving therapy to strengthen his muscles. He gets out of bed and goes into a wheelchair twice a day, and movement in his arms, legs and neck is getting stronger. His vocal chords are recovering from intubation.
Rigsby was elated by Friday’s announcement of the arrests.
“We’re just glad to know that even if it’s not all of them, some of them are off the streets and we don’t have to worry about this happening to another family,” she said.