On the morning of May 26, 2023, the life of 33-year-old Davina C. Bishop, a Black female, was tragically cut short in what authorities have described as a domestic-related incident. Ms. Bishop was a resident of Petersburg, Virginia, and was known by friends and family as a loving mother of three with a heart of gold. Her death left a profound void in the lives of her children, who were present in the home at the time of the incident but were thankfully unharmed.
The events leading to her death began to unfold in the early hours when Ms. Bishop was brought to an emergency room in Prince George County with life-threatening injuries. Tragically, she succumbed to these injuries and was pronounced dead. The investigation led police to her residence on Brevard Drive in Chesterfield County. Upon their arrival, they discovered a second woman who had also sustained injuries, although they were not believed to be life-threatening at the time. She was transported to a local hospital for medical attention.
Later that same day, authorities made an arrest in connection with the violent events that transpired. Mikal W. Lawton, a 37-year-old man who lived at the same Brevard Drive address, was taken into custody. Following consultations with the Chesterfield County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, Lawton was charged with malicious wounding and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. It was reported that Lawton was known to both Davina Bishop and the other injured woman. He was subsequently held at the Chesterfield County Jail without bond. The community was left to mourn the loss of a mother and friend, with a GoFundMe campaign being established to help her family with the unexpected funeral expenses.
