In the summer of 2023, the life of a young man, known for his infectious positivity and love for football, was tragically cut short. Kyonne Deontrie Edwards, a 22-year-old Black male from Smithfield, Virginia, was found deceased on July 18, 2023. A 2019 graduate of Smithfield High School, he had a passion for football, earning numerous awards and trophies for his performance on the field.
Friends and family remembered him for his big heart and his daily words of encouragement to 'Rise and Grind' and 'Let's make today better than yesterday'.
The devastating discovery was made at the Jersey Park Apartments on Wrenn Road, where Kyonne resided. He was not alone. Alongside him was his 21-year-old girlfriend, A'shoneya Williams. Both had suffered fatal gunshot wounds in what the Smithfield Police Department quickly classified as a double homicide. The initial investigation revealed that a single suspect had entered the apartment, fired multiple shots, and then fled the scene on foot, disappearing across West Main Street.
The search for the person responsible for this violent act was immediately hampered by a significant setback. A security camera at the apartment complex, which might have captured crucial footage of the suspect, was discovered to have been malfunctioning at the time of the incident. This lack of video evidence has made the task of identifying the perpetrator more challenging for law enforcement.
As of the latest available information, the case remains unsolved, and no arrests have been made. The Smithfield Police Department continues to appeal to the public for any information that might lead to a breakthrough in the investigation. They are urging anyone with knowledge of the events that transpired on that tragic day to come forward, offering the possibility of a reward for information that leads to an arrest. The community is left to mourn the loss of two young lives, hoping for answers and justice to be served.
