Hanover County, VA — New details from court documents shed light on the tragic events leading to a shooting at a party in Hanover County that resulted in the death of 16-year-old Matthew Devine on April 6.
The Hanover County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the incident that claimed the life of Devine, a student at Colonial Heights High School.
Before the shooting on April 6, deputies responded to a reported parking complaint at a large party on Agape Lane and McClellan Road around 10:46 p.m. Calls reporting gunshots and a male with a gunshot wound to the chest were received while deputies were en route to the scene.
Upon arrival, deputies found blood splatter and Devine’s body lying near the road with a fatal gunshot wound to the chest, despite efforts by emergency responders to save him.
Witnesses stated an altercation between Devine and an unidentified individual led to the fatal shooting. Both individuals were armed, and shots were fired in the driveway of a residence on McClellan Road.
Authorities seized various items from the crime scene, including firearms, ammunition, and personal belongings believed to be involved in the incident.
James Rashawn Smith, 18, of Ashland, has been arrested and indicted on charges including second-degree murder in connection with Devine’s death. Another suspect, 18-year-old Jayvian Marrece Threatt of Petersburg, has also been arrested on similar charges for his alleged involvement in the shooting incident.
Investigations are ongoing, with Smith’s court appearance scheduled for June 13, while Threatt’s hearing is set for June 21. Both suspects face serious charges related to the tragic event.