In a tragic turn of events, 19-year-old Makayvia Iyana YaYa Cabell, a female from Lynchburg, Virginia, lost her life on February 21, 2024, after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. The incident unfolded in a residence on Locust Street, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement. Cabell was rushed to Lynchburg General Hospital for treatment of her critical injuries, but she ultimately succumbed to them.
The investigation quickly identified 22-year-old Keon Palmer of Lynchburg as the suspect in the shooting. Following a brief manhunt, Palmer was apprehended and taken into custody without incident. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The two were reportedly in an on-again, off-again romantic relationship.
During Palmer's trial, testimony revealed a history of domestic discord between him and Cabell. Witnesses, including Palmer's brother, recounted arguments between the couple on the morning of the shooting. The court heard that Palmer had sent threatening messages to Cabell and that video evidence showed him throwing money at her and demanding she leave shortly before the fatal encounter. A pivotal point in the trial was the testimony that after a heated exchange, Palmer shot Cabell multiple times.
In February 2025, a jury found Keon Palmer guilty of first-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. On June 18, 2025, he was sentenced to 75 years in prison with 23 years suspended for the murder charge and a mandatory three years for the firearm charge, resulting in a total active sentence of 55 years.
