In the summer of 2023, a tragedy unfolded in the town of Smithfield, Virginia, forever altering the lives of two families. On Tuesday, July 18, 21-year-old Ashoneya Tarashnik Rashayla Williams, a Black female, and her 22-year-old boyfriend, Kyonne Edwards, were found deceased in their apartment at the Jersey Park Apartments. Both had been fatally shot in what law enforcement officials would describe as the town's first known double homicide, a shocking event that sent ripples of grief and fear
through the community.
Ashoneya, a native of Suffolk who was raised in Fairfax, was remembered by her family as a vibrant young woman. Her grandmother recalled their last moments together, a final hug and a wave goodbye, just hours before she was killed. The devastating news came in a heartbreaking phone call that would forever be seared into her memory. Similarly, Kyonne's mother remembered him as a young man with a big heart, who was known for looking out for the elderly in his neighborhood. The profound loss of these two young lives left their families grappling with unimaginable pain and a desperate search for answers.
The Smithfield Police Department, with assistance from other agencies, launched an intensive investigation into the double homicide. Despite their efforts, which included executing several search warrants, the case has been fraught with challenges. A significant hurdle for investigators was the discovery that the cameras at the apartment complex were not recording on the night of the incident. While numerous people have been interviewed, police have indicated that obtaining information has been difficult.
As of the latest available information, more than a year after the tragic deaths of Ashoneya Williams and Kyonne Edwards, their case remains unsolved. No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The community is still waiting for justice, as the families of the victims continue to plead for anyone with information to come forward. The double homicide was part of a notable increase in fatal shootings in Isle of Wight County in 2023, though law enforcement has stated they do not believe the incidents are connected. The unsolved nature of this case leaves a painful void for the loved ones of Ashoneya and Kyonne and a lingering sense of unease in the Smithfield community.
